First outing. Madagascar will be represented by four players at the African Badminton Championships which will take place from February 9 to 15 in Gaborone, the Botswana capital. Three local players, namely Irina Razakasoavina from MB2ALL, Herizo Rakotoarinivo from ABC Vakinankaratra and Tokinirina Razafimandimby alias “Joy” from MB2ALL, reinforced by the expatriate from Lyon, Lalaina Ramanana Rahary, will defend the national colors. The latter had already represented the country last year at the African summit in Douala, Cameroon. He had reached the round of 16.
The athletes will finance their entire participation in this continental competition themselves. The Malagasy team will begin with the team events, which will take place from February 9 to 11. The individual singles and doubles events will then follow from February 12 to 15.
“We have already applied for the visa online. We are only waiting for confirmation of the plane ticket of one of the players,” confided the president of the Malagasy Badminton Federation, Jean Aimé Ravalison. The Madagascar delegation is expected to leave the country one or two days before the competition.
