The Minister of Sports and Recreation was honored by the Dominican Badminton Federation. (Photo: Event organizers)
The international badminton scene has descended upon the Dominican Republic as the Santo Domingo Open Internacional officially kicked off this Wednesday. This prestigious tournament, set to run until the 19th of the month, is being held at the New Horizons Academy in the capital city. The competition features a strong international field, with athletes hailing from 16 nations across the Americas, Europe, and Asia, promising a thrilling display of skill and sportsmanship.
The opening ceremony was a significant affair, led by the President of the Dominican Badminton Federation (Fedobad), Nelson Javier Ozuna. He was joined by the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kelvin Cruz, and the CEO of New Horizons Academy, Fauntly Garrido, underscoring the importance of the event to the nation’s sporting landscape.
A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of a recognition plaque to Minister cruz by the Fedobad executive committee. Minister Cruz expressed his gratitude for the unexpected honor, stating, For me, this recognition is a grate surprise.I really did not expect it, but I accept it with great humility and a great commitment to continue working for Dominican sports, especially badminton, which has made great progress in the country.
He also lauded the significant efforts of Nelson Javier Ozuna in advancing the sport of badminton within the Dominican Republic.
Nelson Javier Ozuna echoed the sentiment of excitement surrounding the tournament, noting the palpable enthusiasm from both Dominican and international competitors.He expressed confidence that the event would achieve its anticipated success and revealed that an outstanding figure in Dominican sports would be honored on the opening day.
Fauntly Garrido, serving as the sports director for New Horizons Academy, emphasized the developmental impact of hosting such international events. This type of event contributes growth to the development of the discipline of badminton in the Dominican Republic,
Garrido remarked, highlighting the academy’s role in fostering the sport’s expansion.
The opening ceremony drew a notable presence of media professionals, including communicators and journalists from print, radio, television, and social media, all eager to cover the international tournament hosted at the bilingual educational center.
The Santo Domingo Open Badminton is showcasing talent from a diverse range of countries, including Canada, the United States, Belgium, Switzerland, Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, India, Puerto Rico, and the host nation, the Dominican Republic. The competition spans multiple disciplines: singles (men’s and women’s),doubles (men’s and women’s),and mixed doubles,offering a extensive test of badminton prowess.
This significant sporting event is bolstered by the support of several key organizations, including the Dominican Olympic Committee (COD), Pan American Badminton, the Ministry of Sports and Recreation (Miderec), the National Institute of Physical Education (INEFI), NH Bulldogs Sport and Athletic Club, the Badminton World Federation (BWF), and the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic. The collective backing ensures a well-organized and high-profile tournament.
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