Prima Pasta badminton championship slated in March

MANILA, Philippines - More than 1,000 players, including national players, are expected to compete in the seventh Prima Pasta Badminton Championship slated March 1-2 and 8-9 at the Powersmash Badminton Court in Pasong Tamo, Makati.

In partnership with the Philippine Badminton Association (PBA), the annual event is part of the Philippine National Ranking System (PNRS) where aspirants in the Open division get the chance to  earn points.

“We are hoping to surpass the number of entries last year and promote badminton in the country,” said Prima Pasta badminton championship chairman Alexander Lim. “It is also an honor to become one of the country’s national ranking badminton tournaments.”  

The tournament, presented by SMART Communications through MVP Sports Foundation, offers competitions in men’s doubles and mixed doubles from Open class, to Levels A to G. The women’s doubles will have entries in Open Class and Levels B to F.  

The event is also supported by Pacific Boysen Paints Phils. Corps, Morning Star Milling Corporation., Mabz Builders, ILO Construction, Monolith Construction, Pioneer Life, Promax International, RSL Badminton Rackets and RFM Corp.

The other events are boys’and girls’ singles for Under 19, 17, 15 and 13 categories,  and  boys and girls doubles under 19, 17 and 15.

Trophies and prizes await the winners and runners-up of all events.

Top badminton players Joper Escueta, Antonino Gadi, Gelita Castilo, Indonesian Rudy Widjaya, Chinese Lili Wang and Marco Bermejo have been invited to compete in the four-day national competition sanctioned by the Philippine Badminton Association.

More information: Tournament director JC Benipayo (09174494258); Yoly Araullo (09328740454); Joy Martinez (09209074223) and Cha Pagdilao (09267544695); www.primapastaopen.com.