Magkakaharap-harap ang pinakamagagaling na Pilipinong badminton players upang pag-agawan ang nakatayang mga korona sa iba’t-ibang paglalabanang dibisyon sa pagsambulat ng P1.5-million Bingo Bonanza National Open sa Rizal Badminton Hall sa Malate, Manila sa Disyembre 11-14.

Inihayag ito ni Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo ‘Albee’ Benitez, na secretary general din ng Philippine Badminton Association (PBA) sa Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum sa Shakey’s Malate.

“The best of the best will be here slugging it out in a very friendly environment,” bigkas ni Benitez sa weekly forum na hatid ng Shakey’s, Accel ar Pagcor kung saan ang mabibiyayaan ang singles champions ng P100,000 bawat isa at ang winning doubles teams ay iuuwi ang P120,000.

Binuhay ang torneong ito na dating kilala sa nakatatlong edisyon na Philippine Open na mga ginanap noong 2006, 2007 at 2009 na dinomina naman ng mga dayuhan.

Sinabi ni Benitez na nakatuon ngayon ang PBA sa pagtataguyod ng mas malalaking national tournaments kung saan isinaisantabi muna nito ang pagsasagawa ng mga napakamahal na international events.

“When we host international tournaments, our players are normally eliminated after the first round and only foreign players remain. It’s like we’re holding the tournament for them. “Now, we want to focus on national tournaments. Let us first upgrade and develop our national players until they can really compete with the foreigners,” sabi ni Benitez.

Kasama ni Benitez dumalo sa forum sina Bingo Bonanza Vice President Al Alonte at miyembro ng national team na sina Indonesian coach Paulus Firman at player na sina Paul Jefferson Vivas, Peter Gabriel Magnaye, Philip Escueta at Ronel Estanislao.

“This is a major event. And Bingo Bonanza is here because we still believe that badminton is one of the sports that can bring glory to the Philippines,” sabi ni Alonte.