Shuttlers make a ‘racket’ in Benoni
Badminton South Africa (BSA) celebrated its 75th anniversary on Saturday, October 12, at the Benoni Country Club.
The celebratory function had some important guests in attendance, such as Deputy Minister of Sports and Recreation Gert Oosthuizen, International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board member Dr Sam Ramsamy, Badminton World Federation (BWF) representative Raj Gaya from Mauritius, Badminton Confederation of Africa president Omar Bellali from Morocco, Member of Mayoral Committee Ekurhuleni Council Clr Zenzi Tshongweni and Gauteng Sports Council member Barry Hendrickson.
Larry Keys, president of BSA said: “The South African Badminton Union was formed in 1938.
“In 1939 it was accepted as a member of the International Badminton Federation and, in 1998, the name was changed to Badminton South Africa.
“Badminton South Africa is ranked number one in Africa and 25th in the world.”
The sport was represented at the Beijing and London Olympics at a competitive level.
Ramsamy praised BSA for developing the standard of badminton in the country.
“Jointly, as the IOC and BSA, we can take badminton to a higher level,” he said.
Oosthuizen, in his address, said that the sport has a huge role to play in getting children active.
“Badminton is the ideal vehicle to spread the message to the youth,” he said.
The event coincided with the 63rd South African Open Championship and Interprovincial Tournament, which was contested at the John Barrable Hall, from October 5 to 11.
A prize giving was held at the celebratory event, with prizes handed over by Oosthuizen and Ramsamy.
The results of the tournament are:
- Individual SA Open:
Men’s Singles: Prakash Nath (SG) beat Andries Malan (FS) 21-18, 21-17.
Women’s Singles: Michelle Butler-Emmett (NG) beat Elme de Villiers 21-9, 18-21, 21-11.
Men’s Doubles: Chris Dednam/Roelof Dednam (FS) beat Dorian James/Enrico James (WP) 21-17, 19-21, 21-19.
Women’s Doubles: Jennifer Fry (NG)/Andries Malan (FS) beat Michelle Butler-Emmet (NG)/Elme de Villiers (FS) 21-16, 19-21, 21-12.
Mixed Doubles: Chris Dednam/Sandra le Grange (FS) beat Andries Malan/Wilmarle Labuschagne (FS) 21-13, 21-10.
- Interprovincial team results:
A-Section: 1 Free State 10 points; 2 Western Province 7 points; 3 Northern Gauteng 7 points; 4 Boland 4 points; 5 Southern Gauteng A 3 points; 6 KwaZulu-Natal 0 points.
B-Section: 1 Border 8 points; 2 Northern Gauteng B 7 points; 3 Northern Cape 5 points; 4 Western Province B 4 points.
C-Section: 1 Free State B 6 points; 2 Southern Gauteng B 6 points; 3 Eastern Gauteng A 5 points; 4 SA Veterans 3 points.
D-Section: 1 Sedibeng 8 points; 2 Southern African Nation Defence Force (SANDF) 5 points; 3 Eastern Gauteng B 4 points; 4 Universities 3 points.
