Bingo Bonanza Philippine Open Blasts Off July 18-22!


The long wait for top-notch badminton action in the Philippines will soon be over when Bingo Bonanza stages the second Bingo Bonanza Philippine Open Badminton Championships on July 18-22 with the country’s top and promising players pitting talents and chasing world ranking points against some of the world’s best shuttlers in the $120,000 event at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, Metro Manila.
The inaugural Bingo Bonanza Philippine Open last year proved a big success despite the absence of the likes of Lin Dan and Taufik Hidayat with Malaysian Hafiz Hashim, ranked No. 11 in the world, taking the top ranking and then living up to the billing by ruling the men’s singles.
Sania Nehwal, then a 16-year-old gem of a find from India, reigned supreme in the ladies side.
But this year’s championship, a Grand Prix Gold event, promises to be bigger and better in terms of participation with a host of talented players from around 20 countries tipped to come over to Manila and vie for top honors in various divisions of the tournament, the second of three RP Opens Bingo Bonanza has committed to sponsor in its continuing support to the growth of badminton across the globe.
Bingo Bonanza is the pioneer in professional bingo gaming in the Philippines which brought the bingo game to the public in the convenience of large and modern bingo halls, elevating the game into a professional, reliable and legitimate source of entertainment for communities.
The organizing IMG, which has a wealth of experience in running successful high-profile badminton events, said registration is now ongoing with the deadline set on June 12.
All entries must be made on an Entry Form (sana pwede idownload from the web) and sent via mail, fax or email to PBA (Philippine Badminton Association) Badminton Hall, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Malate, Manila, Philippines; tel. Nos. 632 303 1070; 632 338
2431 or fax: 632 303 1070; Email: joebm_13@yahoo.com.
The event is held under the auspices of the PBA.
The event will be held the week after the China Super Series event which will certainly draw major players from all around the world as this and the Bingo Bonanza Philippine Open will be the last events held prior to the World Championships--so these will be the final "tune-ups" for all players.
The Bingo Bonanza Philippine Open is an individual event consisting of the men’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s singles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles.
Rules and regulations will be applied in accordance to the BWF (Badminton World Federation) using the Grand Prix competition format.
If more players sign up for the event than there are positions in the field (e.g. 64 in singles and 32 in doubles), then  a series of qualifying rounds will be held in the relevant categories with the new scoring rally point system to be used.
The elims would be played on July 17.
Participation is open to all BWF member associations with the seeding to be conducted by the BWF based on BWF ranking list dated June 28, 2007. The draw will be held on July 3.
Transportation will be provided for arrival and departure from the airport to the official hotel provided the organizer is informed of the flight details way in advance. Shuttle bus will be available between the official hotel and competition hall (or practice hall).
The organizing committee will also arrange practice schedule according to the size and arrival time of each team. Practice sessions can be arranged upon request through the tournament secretariat and is subject to court availability.
The official hotels are the Holiday Inn Galleria Suites on Asian Development Bank Ave., Ortigas Center, tel. No: (632) 633 7111 or fax: (632) 633-2824. Room rate is US$65 net per single/twin sharing room with buffet breakfast, and the Richmonde Hotel on 21 San Miguel Ave. cor Lourdes St., Ortigas Center, tel. No: (632)6387777 or fax: (632)6388567, e-mail :trh@richmond.hotel.com.ph, Room rate is US$55 net per single/twin sharing room with buffet breakfast.