After two years without taking place due to COVID-19, the XXI edition of the Giraldilla Badminton Tournament could be held this 2022 in its traditional venue here in Havana, from March 16th to the 20th.

Havana, January 22 (RHC)-- After two years without taking place due to COVID-19, the XXI edition of the Giraldilla Badminton Tournament could be held this 2022 in its traditional venue here in Havana, from March 16th to the 20th.

Alexis Ramirez, president of the Cuban Federation of that sport, told ACN that they hope to resume the realization of that competition, but it will depend on the evolution of the pandemic.

He also pointed out as another element to take into account the participation of foreign players, because it is a self-financed event and can only be held if the costs are covered with what is earned.

In this regard, he said that it will be unlikely that the best badminton players of the American continent will attend because priority will be given to the qualifying events for the Central American and Caribbean Games in El Salvador and the Pan American Games in Chile, both in 2023.

However, he assured that the aspiration is that some foreign racquetball players will come, which would also help to improve the level of the tournament and serve as a rehearsal for Cuban players.

As for the representatives from home, he said that if the Giraldilla Badminton Tournament were held, the 10 members of the national team, five women and the same number of men, and if possible other athletes from different provinces, would compete.

Among the main players, Osleni Guerrero, runner-up in the 2011 Guadalajara Pan American Games and bronze medalist in Toronto 2015, stands out as the leading figure of the national team.

Alongside him are Leodannis Martínez, who plays singles and doubles with Guerrero; as well as Yeily Mary Ortiz, who leads the women's team.

The Giraldilla Badminton Tournament will maintain its category of Future Series, which will give 2,500 points for the world ranking to the winners of each of the five events in dispute.

On other issues, Ramirez said that the Cuban presence in international events has not yet been defined, because they are waiting for the notification of the budget.

Likewise, when referring to the importance of competing outside the country, he explained that in the current year there is classification for the Central American and Caribbean Games and the Pan American Games 2023, and for both the tickets will be granted through the ranking.

This means, he said, that only if we compete and do well will we achieve quotas, concluded the executive.