Having pumped $1 million into the Jamaica Badminton Association International Open, Mayberry Investments is pleased following an intriguing championship held March 17-20.

Anika Smith, Mayberry’s assistant vice-president of marketing, told the Jamaica Observer that the tournament went well and the company is very happy.

“We are pleased with the work the team from the Jamaica Badminton Association puts into making it a success,” said Smith.

“Giving the athletes an opportunity to play [in a] world-class competition and being able to showcase our badminton programme to international players was a big step for the development of the sport nationally, and as sponsors we are proud to have supported this effort,” she noted.

Smith said her company’s continued support of the sport is entrenched in part to its commitment to helping players grow and to possibly realise their dreams of playing in the big times.

“We have been supporting badminton for several years, mainly by assisting the Jamaican team with their travels overseas to compete. We decided to sponsor this tournament this year because we wanted to help give our athletes the opportunity to earn points towards possibly making the Olympic team to Rio, as well as the showcase Jamaica’s involvement in badminton internationally,” said Smith.

“In our business we help individuals and companies alike to realise their dreams, and it is not lost on us the dedication and hard work it takes for any athlete to achieve the ultimate feat of representing his/her country at the Olympics,” she added.

The second annual tournament took place inside the National Indoor Sports Centre.

Portugal’s Pedro Martins won the Men’s Singles title defeating David Obernosterer of Austria 21-19, 21-17 in the final.

Earlier, Martins brushed aside two Jamaicans in Joel Angus (21-6, 21-5) and Gareth Henry in the quarter-finals 21-19, 21-14. Henry had defeated Bradley Pilgrim of Barbados 21-8, 21-15.

Number one seed Jeanine Cicognini of Italy captured the Women’s crown defeating Lithuana’s Akvile Stapusaityte 21-16, 22-20. The champions had earlier defeated Jamaica’s Esther Christina Reynolds in the second round 21-6, 21-7.

The Belgian pair of Matijis Dierick and Freek Golinski won the Men’s Doubles turning back Alwin Francis and Kona Tarun of India 21-19 before they retired.

Austria’s David Obernosterer and Elizabeth Baldauf captured the Mix Doubles defeating Bjorn Seguin of USA and Marianna Ugalde of Mexico 21-19, 18-21, 21-11. The Jamaican duo of Gareth Henry and Geordine Henry made it to the semi-finals, as did Dennis Coke and Katherine Wynter.

— Howard Walker