Wednesday, December 20, 2006 Yonex, Sunrise expand search for future stars
ASIDE from holding national tournaments, Yonex and Sunrise have extended their search for the country’s future shuttlecock smashers to the regional and local levels through their regional championships.
The Yonex-Sunrise Regional Championships was successfully launched in Pampanga last Dec. 2 and 3.
Next year, they will also launch regional events in five areas, while setting their eyes on 13 more.
“We are going down to the local and provincial levels in search of the future players for the Philippine team,” said RP Team coach Errol Chan during yesterday’s press conference at Casino Español de Cebu.
Chan, who is the chairman for grass roots development program in the Philippine Badminton Association, will spearhead the regional championships.
The first leg will kick off on Jan. 26-28 next year here in Cebu during the second anniversary of the tournament venue—-Portside Badminton Plaza Cebu.
The leveling of the tournament for the first leg will be held on Jan. 6-7, 2006.
Chan said around 30 players, led by the country’s top-ranked players Arolas Amahit, Wilson Frias and sisters Paula and Therine Chan have confirmed their participation in the the Cebu Leg.
“They have already booked their tickets,” the long-time RP coach said.
The second leg will be held in February in General Santos City, while the next three legs will be held in Davao City, Bacolod City and in Cagayan de Oro City.
Mary Elizabeth Torres, the country manager of Sunrise, said they are still waiting for replies from other localities in holding the regional championships. (JAF)
