From left: Mr. Alan Ow, CEO Singapore Badminton Association; Mr. Chan Wing Kai, Deputy President, Singapore Badminton Association;
Mr. Jose Da Rosa Junior, Founder, Brave Sword Badminton Academy and organiser of Brave Sword International Team Challenge 2022; and Mr. Fernando Kurniawan, Tournament Manager – Brave Sword. Credit: Brave Sword Badminton Academy
Singapore will take centre stage with the debut of Brave Sword International Team Challenge 2022, a badminton Masters Series which will be held from 2 to 4 December 2022. This team tournament is organised by Brave Sword Badminton Academy and has been sanctioned by the Singapore Badminton Association.
The courts at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre will see the action as badminton legends, Olympians and stars converge in Singapore.
Guests of honour Alan Budikusuma and Susi Susanti, the legendary Indonesian couple and 1992 Barcelona Olympics champions will grace the Brave Sword International Team Challenge 2022.
The event has attracted 19 teams from different countries, including powerhouses Indonesia, Malaysia and India and Australia, Thailand and Myanmar.
Fans will be enthralled by illustrious shuttlers: Liliyana Natsir (2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics Champion), Eddy Hartono (1992 Barcelona Olympics silver medallist), Yoo Young Seong (two-time Olympic silver medallist) and Tan Boon Heong (former World no. 1 professional player).
The Singapore Badminton Association will also field a team comprising ex-national players.
“The Singapore Badminton Association is happy to support the Brave Sword International Team Challenge 2022. While badminton is the number one racket sport in Singapore with an estimated 210,000 active players, the vision of SBA is to promote and develop badminton and establish Singapore as a top badminton nation in the world,” said Mr. Chan Wing Kai, Deputy President, Singapore Badminton Association.
“The Brave Sword International Team Challenge is another excellent initiative that will bring the sport of badminton to more people. This exhilarating event allows masters-players to gather and compete in a fun yet competitive environment.
“The return of some of the inspirational badminton legends will create a buzz within the local badminton fraternity. The tournament will also encourage many people to take up the sport and exercise regularly to foster a healthier living.”
Dr. Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Education, will play an exhibition match consisting of 2 games (11 points each) during the series.
The first game will see him partner Ong Ewe Hock (Bronze medallist in the 1997 World Cup; Silver medallist in the 2002 Thomas Cup in Guangzhou) against founder of Brave Sword Badminton Academy and recently turned professional shuttler Jose Da Rosa Junior and a badminton superstar.
In game two, the Minister will partner Albert Saputra to battle it out with Mr. Jose Da Rosa Junior and Fernando Kurniawan.
The 3-day tournament will have: Mixed Doubles 80+ (male player aged 45 and above; female player aged 30 and above); Men’s Doubles 70+ (minimum age 30) and Men’s Doubles 100+ (minimum age 40).
The tournament format will be Round Robin – 8 groups of 3 teams, with a maximum of 24 teams.
Beyond the December tournament, the organizer, together with Singapore Badminton Association have a long-term vision for Singapore. In addition to encouraging active aging and healthy living, upcoming plans include positioning Singapore as an international badminton training hub, talent spotting as well as nurturing and developing potential youth.
Further ramping up badminton competition amongst the world’s top shuttlers and providing thrilling action in Singapore, faithful fans can expect the Brave Sword International Badminton Tournament in March 2023.
Mr. Jose Da Rosa Junior said: “We are excited with the debut of this Masters tournament. The December event will bring together the family of badminton legends and stars to Singapore in a convivial yet competitive setting, with the aims of promoting the sport to the local community. We are pleased to share that this International Team Challenge will be an annual affair, and look forward to bringing the sport to new heights.”
Inaugural Brave Sword International Team Challenge 2022
The inaugural Brave Sword International Team Challenge 2022 will be held from 2 to 4 December 2022. It will be held at Suntec Convention Centre Hall 601/602, 1 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039593. The event is open to the public for viewing, with a limited daily seating capacity.
Badminton fans can look forward to a contest to win exclusive signed memorabilia and a pair of invitations to the Brave Sword International Team Challenge Welcome Dinner where they can get up close and personal with badminton stars and legends. Details to be announced soon.
Brave Sword Badminton Academy
Brave Sword Badminton Academy was incorporated in Singapore in 2021. Founded by Mr. Jose Da RosaJunior, a professional badminton player and an ardent supporter of the sport, the academy aims to position Singapore as an international badminton training hub, working together with the Singapore Badminton Association and stakeholders. The academy has a team of accredited coaches with over 10 years of international playing and coaching experience.
