MANILA — As part of the preparations for the Southeast Asian Games, the Philippine Badminton Association (PBA), in partnership with Smart, will organize the Smart National Open Badminton Tournament from Nov. 17-22 at the Muntinlupa Sports Center.
The tournament will serve as test event for the national players, who will compete in the 30th SEA Games ,which the country will host for the fourth time from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 this year.
The Smart National Open participants will compete in the men’s and women’s singles, the men’s and women’s singles, and the mixed doubles.
The champion of the men’s singles will take home PHP60,000 while the winners of the women’s singles and the doubles events will get PHP50,000 per player.
For the first time ever, the newest officiating technology that will be seen in the SEA Games will be used for the national open.
“We’ll be using a tablet for the scoring system, and we will also be using a service judge device. This one is always used in the international games,” said Jenny Brosula, one of the officials for the national open, during the press launch at the Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan City.
She said the event will be a good opportunity for the national athletes to familiarize with the new officiating system.
Epok Quimpo, PBA’s secretary general, added: “It will somehow lessen the human judgment,” pertaining to controversial calls that marred previous local badminton events. (PNA)
