National Badminton Open fixed for July 27

By Edna A, Quansah, GNA
Accra, July 19, GNA - The Badminton Association of Ghana (BAG) has fixed the 2016 National Badminton Open Tournament for July 27 at the Ghana Ports and Habour Authority Sports facility in Tema.

The three day event from July 27-30, is aimed at widening the national talent development team and to select badminton athletes for the Veterans World Championship as well as build a solid national team towards the Africa and Commonwealth Games.

The tournament is expected to draw 239 local and foreign athletes from all the regional clubs, with players aged between 9 and 66 years old participating.

The participating Clubs includes Accra, Akim-Tafo, UCC, GPHA Tema, GPHA Takoradi, Ho, and Wa Badminton Clubs.

The rest are KNUST, Kumasi, Lekma, Suhum, Takoradi and Winneba Badminton Clubs.

Mr Nestor Galley, President of BAG said, 'Through global partnership with Badminton World Federation (BWF), we have the opportunity to bring the sport back to its status as a fun and family sport.

''We are working with educational Institutions and organisations for the badminton tournaments and also to give Ghanaians an opportunity to engage with friends and families in a competitive, yet fun environment.'

The tournament Director Mr Yeboah, Evans said Badminton is the world's second most viewed popular sport but it definitely needs a lot of support to become as popular as football in Ghana.

''Being a family sport, which sees equal participation from mostly all family members, there is a lot of hidden talent out there. With the National Championship, we hope to unearth the talents and build a strong base for future badminton stars of Ghana''.

The organizers are hoping that individuals, service organizations and corporate entities will support the competition to end successful and be a memorable one for national and international visitors.

This year's tournament is being sponsored by Oman Fofo, Blue Skies, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.

GNA