Easterns badminton players to fly SA flag
The country that wins the team events will represent the continent in the world championships in Thailand.
Five Eastern Gauteng Badminton Association (EGBA) players have been selected to represent South Africa at the Thomas and Uber Cup African Championships in Uganda from February 14 to 20.
Deidre Jordaan and Amy Ackerman will form part of the five women team to compete in the Uber cup. Jarred Elliot, Ruan Snyman and Robert White will compete in the Thomas Cup.
Easterns is the only association with five players in the 11-member squad and chairperson Christy Thomas said this showed the great job they are doing in producing great athletes.
“We are proud that EGBA players continuously fly the South African flag high and we are excited to see them play in Uganda. We wish the SA team the very best,” said Thomas.
The five will compete in individual and team events. The country that wins the team events will go on to represent the continent in the Thomas and Uber Cup World Championships in Thailand in May.
The men’s team will compete against powerhouses such as Algeria and Egypt in the Thomas Cup. Robert White, who is ranked 14th in Africa, told the paper that they are well aware of the tough competition but they will fight until the end.
“This is my second time representing SA as a senior. It’s a great experience that very few enjoy. I am honoured to wear the national colours again.
“We are going there to win. It’s going to be tough because if you look at the Algerians, they are insanely good. They train in France with better facilities. And the Egyptians are also good. But as a team, we do stand a chance.”
In the Uber Cup, the ladies team, which will be captained by Jordaan, will square off against the dominant Egyptians and Nigerians but their line-up is bolstered by Johanita Scholtz and Jordaan who are ranked in the top 10 on the continent in the women’s singles.
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Amy Ackerman, who will be at the African showpiece for the third time, relished the opportunity and hopes to represent the country with distinction.
“It feels amazing. Not a lot of people get such an opportunity. I am proud to be a South African and this is a prestigious tournament. I hope that as a team we will do well.”
The team will also compete in doubles and mixed-doubles matches.
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