Local badminton players take part in international games

Eastern Gauteng Badminton Association (EGBA) members Jarred Elliott and Deidrè Jordaan will form part of the University Sport South Africa (USSA) team to represent the country in the 31st FISU World Student Games in China from July 28 to August 8.

The South Africa team was announced at the South Africa Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) House on June 27.

Elliott will represent the country in badminton in singles competition and doubles, along with his partner Robert Summers from the Northern Cape.

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As a team, Elliott and Summers won the men’s doubles during the All-Africa Championships in February after beating Mohamed Belarbi and Adel Hamek from Algeria 21:13 and 21:17 in the final.

They are ranked first in the men’s doubles in South Africa, third on the continent and 119 in the world.

Jordaan, who was recently elected to lead the Badminton Confederation Africa (BCA) athletes committee, will serve as the team’s coach and manager.

She’s an experienced badminton player who has achieved many accolades including clinching the women’s doubles titles in the individual’s event and helping South Africa to a bronze medal in the team event, with her partner Amy Ackerman during the All-Africa Championships in February at John Barrable Hall.

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Jordaan is the current EGBA secretary and has also served as the chairperson of USSA’s badminton team.

St Dunstan’s College alumnus, Chloe Cresswell and Jordan Craig, who honed their skills as part of the college’s rowing team, will represent the country in rowing.

The games will take place in Chengdu in Western China.