Myanmar to host International Badminton Tournament after 18 years

Badminton Asia’s U-17 and U-15 Junior Championships 2017 badminton tournament is very special for Myanmar, as it will get to host the international badminton tournament after 18 years.

The five-day long tournament will start from October 4th with 325 players from 12 countries at the Thuwunna National Indoor Stadium, Yangon.

The tournament will get to see the grand start this wednesday as it has been making arrangements at its best for the smooth run of the matches witnessing players from Japan, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Macau China, India, Malaysia, Hong Kong China, Thailand, Vietnam and Nepal.

The last tournament hosted in Myanmar was way back in 1999 for the Golden Eagle Asian Junior Championships in July. The memories of the tournament are nostalgic and still fresh in the mind of Robin Tin, former secretary of the Myanmar Badminton Federation (MBF).

“The past 18-years has seen Myanmar players travelling overseas for international badminton tournaments. So you cab imagine what this tournament means to us,” said Robin, who is the chairman of the tournament’s technical committee.

“We are all excited and happy to organize an international tournament in Myanmar. It has brought a lot of  zest and enthusiasm in this matter, including from some former national players,” he added.

Robin referred some names who helped in the organization of the tournament. Among them are former international Thiha Soe, Maung Maung (chief coach of the Myanmar Badminton Federation), the association's two joint secretaries Brang Mai and Myo Kyaw - and not forgetting MBF president Aung Paing, vice-president Aung Ko Htwe (who is in charge of accommodation) and the association's secretary Nyan Lwin, executive council member Aung Naing (in charge of transport).

Robin captioned helping hands as “United and Connected.”

Gaurav Khanna of India, the in-charge of the tournament software and its technical aspects, said, “I have nothing but praise for those who have made things work for me. I am really pleased that I have managed to get all that is required for me to complete my job. It is thumbs up from me. They are a marvellous bunch of people who get things done despite some language barriers.”

Joining as the referee with Yau li Na (Malaysia), deputy referee Sharad Varma (India), and assessor Girish Natu (India), Robin said, “This badminton (Under-17 and Under-15) tournament is a big thing to us. We hope to take off from here and bring Myanmar badminton to a new level in this region at least.”