KUALA LUMPUR: Kyrgyzstan players, the “babies” of the Asian Badminton Championships (ABC), are looking forward to playing alongside the “adults” in the four-star tournament starting today with the qualifying round at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium (KLBA).
Kyrgyzstan will be represented by four players – 16-year-old Ramazan Hiloy, Aigul Temiralieva (18) and the Zavman twins, Maksim and Arkady (16). Except for Aigul, the others are playing in the men’s event.
All four will be in action in the qualifying tournament today. It is unlikely that they will get through to the main draw.
Team manager Ainura Temiralieva said that Kyrgyzstan have been playing competitive badminton since 2002.
“In fact, the ABC in 2002 was the first international tournament we competed in. It is good to be back again here. Badminton is not big in our country. Our population is about five million and there is some following for this beautiful game,” said Temiralieva.
“Our badminton association is 10 years old. Our players train at the national training centre (six-court hall) in Bischkek. We have brought youngsters for this tournament to give them exposure, “ she added.
The other badminton minnows from West Asia taking part in the ABC are Bahrain, Iraq, Syria, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Jordan.
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