Junior WC'ships in S. Africa

LONDON (Agencies): The sixth World Badminton Junior Championships for the Bimantara Cups has been awarded to South Africa, the International Badminton Federation (IBF) announced on Tuesday.

The singles and team championships - to be held from 25 Oct. to Nov. 3, 2002 - will see around 300 young competitors from 30 countries travel to South Africa for some highly competitive action over one-and-a-half weeks.

"The championships offer an excellent opportunity to showcase badminton to South Africans, and will offer extensive support to ensure local schools have access to the championships," the Badminton Association of South Africa president Larry Keyes said as quoted by www.worldbadminton.net.

At the 2000 event, host China walked away with a clean sweep of titles, taking all five individual golds as well as the inaugural team title.