National badminton open to serve as test event for SEAG

The top officials of the Philippine Badminton Association and Smart Sports and some top badminton coaches get set for the Smart National Open. Ivan Saldajeno

By Ivan Saldajeno

SAN JUAN, MM--In a gear-up to the Southeast Asian Games, the national badminton team will take on some of the best local shuttlers in the Smart National Open Badminton Tournament from Nov. 17-22 at the Muntinlupa Sports Center.

The said tourney will also serve as the test event for the SEA Games badminton competition that will also be held at the said venue.

In fact, during the press launch at the Hey Brew Bar and Restaurant inside Greenhills Shopping Center on Thursday, Jenny Brosula said that the latest officiating technology in badminton that will be used in the SEA Games will be seen in the Smart National Open as well.

"We'll be using a tablet for the scoring system, and we will be using also a service judge device. This one is always used in the international games," said Brosula, who represented her sister Judith in the press launch.

Jenny Brosula then hopes that the national team will get familiarized to the said technology especially that the same devices will be used for the SEA Games.

"After the event, I hope the national team will use this to be familiarized with the equipment," she added.

Epok Quimpo, the secretary general of the Philippine Badminton Association, sees the new technology as a means to at least dwindle the controversial calls in matches.

"It will somehow lessen yung human judgment," Quimpo said. "Malaking bagay yun."

This will be the first time a major badminton tournament will use the new officiating technology.

There will be five categories in the Smart National Open, the singles and doubles for both men and women and the mixed doubles.

Philippine National Ranking System points will be awarded to the local players, regardless if they are part of the national team or not, who will join the tournament.