Badminton tourney in Benoni holds promise for region’s economy

The Eastern Gauteng Badminton Association (EGBA) will host three tournaments at John Barrable Hall later this year.

This is according to EGBA chairperson Kei Ackerman after the organisation received the rights to host the Melvill Cup, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) sanctioned South Africa International and South Africa Junior International tournaments, on behalf of Badminton South Africa (BSA).

“Hundreds of people will come to Benoni for all three tournaments. The spin-off for the community is an estimated R12m into the economy of Ekurhuleni,” Ackerman said.

The EGBA will first host the Melvill Cup in October, an interprovincial competition, which was first held in 1950. It will attract hundreds of players from across South Africa.

South Africa International will follow from November 30 until December 3. This tournament is part of the BWF Future Series which attracts talent from around the world.

The South Africa Junior International, part of the BWF Junior Future Series, will take place from December 4 to 6, attracting emerging talented players.

Both these international tournaments were held at the John Tyers Hall in Cape Town last year and were dominated by players from Taipei, China, who achieved a clean sweep after winning all categories.

“The hospitality industry is going to benefit. For us to host this, is a great achievement. It is good when a sport like badminton can give back to the community.

“When you talk about sports today, it’s about what it can bring to the community that’s important,” Ackerman said.

The chairperson is urging the community to support them, saying the EGBA has always maintained that whatever it does has to positively impact the community.

“With us having brought these three important tournaments into Benoni, it’s a great morale booster for all the work of the sporting community as well as the work done by the City of Ekurhuleni’s Department of Sport, Arts and Recreation in the maintenance of our facilities.

“We invite everybody to attend. We are hosting and it’s free for spectators. Come see what badminton is about,” he said.

The EGBA recently hosted a successful All Africa Senior Championships in February.

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