PLDT’s wireless unit and leading mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. is powering the Philippines’ hosting of the prestigious Badminton Asia Championships, as it returns after a two-year break during the global pandemic.
Over 200 athletes from 17 countries, including badminton powerhouses China, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and South Korea, are expected to participate in the biggest international badminton tournament in Asia on April 26 to May 1, to be held at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex. Smash Pilipinas, the country’s national badminton team under the Philippine Badminton Association, will also compete in this much-awaited event.
“Many of the world’s strongest badminton nations are in Asia. The Philippines will have the distinct honor of welcoming some of the world’s best players. Our own Philippine National Team will be participating in these events, which I believe will be a catalyst for local player development. The Filipino has the physical profile, quick reflexes, and innate talent to excel in this sport. And I am certain that watching and competing with the powerhouses of Asia will inspire our players to rise to the level of international competition,” said Manuel V. Pangilinan, PLDT, MVP Sports Foundation, and Philippine Badminton Association Chairman.
The Badminton Asia Championships is organized by the Badminton Asia Confederation which is one of the five continental bodies under the flag of the Badminton World Federation. Badminton Asia Championships is a pivotal event because it is the qualifying tournament for the several world badminton competitions. The BWF has also upgraded the tournament from a World Tour Super 500 to a World Tour Super 1000 event starting 2022. This is the highest level of event for the BWF in earning points for the World Rankings.
PLDT and Smart have long been at the forefront of developing sports in the country. In 2020, Smart also supported the Badminton Asia Team Championships held at Rizal Memorial Coliseum, when the Philippines hosted this important tournament. A sport close to Chairman MVP’s heart, MVPSF has long been supportive of the Philippine Badminton Association, helping them mount several local tournaments, including the MVP Badminton Cup in February 2022 and the Smart National Badminton Open in 2019, to name a few. MVPSF is also building a Center for Sports Excellence at the First Pacific Leadership Academy in Antipolo, Rizal, a soon-to-rise training facility for national badminton athletes.
Badminton fans can purchase tickets via ticketnet.com.ph to watch the game in-person or stay up to date with the live court action via Smart’s streaming app, GigaPlay. Downloadable from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, GigaPlay is especially developed to offer a suite of curated sports and entertainment content to subscribers.
GigaPlay is powered by Smart, the country’s fastest 5G mobile network, as reported by Ookla, the global leader in mobile and broadband intelligence.
For more information, follow Smart Sports on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SMARTSportsPhilippines