Bringing together the best badminton players aged over 35, the French Badminton Federation was forced to postpone the competition due to lack of venue and a club leaving for the challenge represented by its organization. “ We were contacted by the Fédé and we decided to take part in the competition », says Maël Carnez, licensed at the Baisieux club. At the age of 25, it is he who takes on the difficult task of organizing the competition for those who are at least 10 years his senior. In addition to him, the Basilian club is heavily involved in this final stretch. “ People are motivated to do it. The goal is to see what we can do “, adds Maël Carnez, because this could open the door to the organization of other major competitions, especially since ” Baisieux has a magnificent hall made for sports and badminton. We meet international standards ».
“It still plays very well”
The veteran championships have a special flavor. With more than 600 badistas qualified and registered, the competition concentrates a higher number of participants than in competitions in lower age categories. In addition, in badminton, veterans are grouped into nine categories, from over 35 years old for V1 to over 75 years old for V9 with a level every 5 years. For each age group, “ these are the 32 best singles players and the 16 best pairs, in doubles, women’s, men’s and mixed », explains Maël Carnez.
To complete everything, the typical atmosphere of veteran competitions, festive and friendly, will invade the Suzanne-Régnier space, which in no way erases the level of performance of the participants. “ It still plays very well. In V1 we still have players who are in the French top 50 in all categoriesreveals the organizer. We have players over 75 who will be present and who are still classified. »
