The weekend will be full of exciting badminton action as the third edition of the International Badminton Open kicked off in Yaounde yesterday, November 14, 2019 at the Yaounde Multipurpose Sports Complex. Organised by the Badminton Confederation of Africa the competition brings together 58 badminton players from 19 countries from across the world. 

The competition began at 3:00 p.m. yesterday, November 14, 2019. This was followed by an official opening ceremony that took place at the Yaounde Multipurpose Sports Complex. The opening ceremony was presided over by the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Narcisse Mouelle Kombi. 

As at yesterday 12 out of the 24 countries expected were already in the country. The last delegations were expected to arrive yesterday evening. Prior to the competition preparations were going in the country. Players have been holding training sessions and several competitions were organised to keep the players abreast with the competition. These are the two badminton tournaments that were organised in Yaounde recently. Referees have also been fine-tuning their skills in workshops in view of the competition. 

Cameroon is represented by 19 players (10 men and nine women). They all have a common objective which is grabbing as many points as possible for the world ranking list and if it is possible qualification ticket for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.  There is prize money which is FCFA 6 million. During the first edition in 2017 Cameroon was the first with two gold medals. In 2018 team Cameroon won only one silver medal. For 2019, the competition promises to be stiff as the 19 athletes are competing with athletes from other countries who are seeking to grab the highest number of points for the Olympic Games.