Dubai: A badminton tournament with the aim of setting up a UAE Badminton Federation is set to commence from tomorrow. Badminton lovers in the UAE will assemble at the Etisalat Academy and will stage the second edition of the Associated Business Attorneys (ABA) Cup hoping to have a body to boost the sport.
Despite badminton being played at various clubs and institutions this sport hasn't got a federation till now. Though Dubai and Abu Dhabi have staged a few badminton tournaments inviting players from abroad this sport has been struggling for existence.
"It's time we have our federation so that the activities of the sport are streamlined. This tournament which will bring all the badminton players under one roof will aim for the creation of the federation," R. Geethalakshmi, the CEO of ABA, told Gulf News.
"Our objective is to portray Dubai as the choicest platform for badminton in the Middle East. This is a sport which can create great sportsmen and women from the UAE and hence we are keen to promote this sport among UAE nationals," Geethalakshmi said.
The ABA Cup will be held at the Etisalat Academy Sports and Leisure Centre in Muhaisna which has four badminton courts of international standards. The organisers have opened the doors to players from abroad too.
"We are inviting seeded players from countries like England, India, Malaysia, Iran, Qatar, Bahrain and Pakistan to come and play in the event. If we can set up the UAE Badminton Federation it can escalate Dubai's chances to be the venue for International Badminton Federation (IBF) ranking tournaments which can be another feather in Dubai's cap of glory," she said.
The final will be held on May 6.
