EXCITEMENT is mounting and another bumper overall entry - in excess of 100 top-flight players - is expected to be competing in the Duchy of Cornwall 30th "Open" Badminton Championships, in September.

The prestigious event is scheduled for Carn Brea Leisure Centre, Pool, near Redruth on Saturday and Sunday, September 22 and 23, writes John Tresidder.

Entry forms have been forwarded to around 130 competitors and one can also be downloaded, from the Cornwall County Badminton website: www.cornwallbadminton.co.uk

The prize-fund has been increased to £1,340, including £320, for the 16 losing semi-finalists in all five main event.

Graphic Solutions - www.graphicsols.com - the Computer Company, from Farnborough, Hampshire, together with Tag Sports, Newton Abbot - www.tagsports.co.uk, in conjunction with Yonex Uk Ltd, have joined forces, once more, as the Tournament's joint main sponsors.

Meanwhile, The Countryman Inns Free Houses Group, from Piece, Carnkie, near Redruth, together with Dales Renault, based at Scorrier and Summercourt and Linden Homes South West Ltd (Newton Abbot), are amongst the other generous Backers, of the Championships.

Programme-of-Events (10.00am start each day) - Saturday: Men’s and Ladies’ Singles, followed by Mixed Doubles, extending to the semi-finals stage on the Saturday evening.

Plate competitions, for first round losers, time permitting.
Sunday: Mixed Doubles Semi-finals and the Final, plus Men's and Ladies’ Level Doubles.

Amongst the Duchy's anticipated 20 plus contingent from Kernow, there will be three members of the successful Cornwall Youth Badminton Squad, sponsored by Dairy Crest Davidstow, who will be making debut appearances in the Duchy Open.

Firstly, Liam Sillifant, aged 15, a student at Launceston College, who trains twice weekly at the Exeter High Performance Badminton Centre and skippered the CYB Under-15 Team over the past season, will be taking part.

Then there is Kellen Moore and Amy Polglase, two 13-year-old Camborne Badminton stars who are students at The Camborne Science and International Academy, Camborne. They have been playing their beloved sport for three years, only.

Indeed, Kellen, in the Early Summer, was in receipt of some very exciting news, from Badminton England, in that she has acquired an England Senior Ladies’ Singles Ranking of 176 - phenomenal, for someone so young.