Over 200 participants come to the "Starnberg Open" at TSV 1880.
It is the largest “air badminton” festival in Germany - and it should set a precedent.
Starnberg - outside is better than inside.
After the outbreak of the corona pandemic, many sports clubs relocated their sports activities, which otherwise only take place in gyms, to the open air.
This trend could also be observed in badminton.
The relatively new outdoor variant "Air-Badminton" is on the advance all over Germany - including TSV 1880 Starnberg, the largest sports club in the district town.
On the coming weekend the TSV is organizing the first “Starnberg Open”, the largest “Air Badminton” tournament festival in Germany, which from now on will find a permanent place in the calendar every year.
"Starnberg Open" start with the BLSV President and a show match
On Saturday from 10 a.m., the event, which has been postponed by a week due to the weather, will start with a show match between top players in the TSV stadium on Riedener Weg.
Starnberg's mayor Patrick Janik and Jörg Ammon, President of the Bavarian State Sports Association (BLSV), have announced their visit.
The anticipation is not only great for Kay Manazon, tournament organizer from the Starnberg department head.
Manazon, who has also been Vice President for Sports Development in the Bavarian Badminton Association (BBV) since April, explains: "In competitive sports we can and want to work with the three Bundesliga clubs in the vicinity (editor's note: Neuhausen-Nymphenburg, Geretsried, Neubiberg / Ottobrunn) do not compete at all.
But with Lake Starnberg and our very beautiful stadium, we are relying heavily on the fun and event factor. "
"Starnberg Open": competition and a nice weekend at Lake Starnberg
The tournament is open to participants of all abilities, beginners are also welcome.
"We have three main target groups: young people, recreational athletes and so-called 'all racket players', who feel comfortable with a racket in all types of sports." The Swiss system is used to ensure that players usually have one play against each other with similar performance levels.
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One of the main organizers of the "Starnberg Open": Peter Schickel, badminton department head of TSV 1880 Starnberg.
© Private
In addition to the sporting competition, participants from all over Germany and also from abroad should experience a nice weekend at Lake Starnberg, including a barbecue at the stadium and swimming in the lake.
Spontaneous people can register by tomorrow, Thursday, by email to kay@manazon.de.
The game will be played on Saturday in the men's doubles and men's triple categories and on Sunday women's doubles and mixed triple on a sand field (the center court), three tartan courts and six to twelve grass fields.
“Air badminton” is becoming more and more popular - and more professional
The Starnberg Open is a leisure tournament.
Overall, it is to be expected that the outdoor variant “Air Badminton”, which was only developed in Malaysia in 2019, will become more and more professional.
"In a good ten years it should become an Olympic discipline," reports Manazon.
In Bavaria, league operations could take place from the 2023/24 season.
The training offer at TSV Starnberg is already well received, especially in the youth sector.
"Air-Badminton": The differences to badminton
First of all, the clubs still have to be equipped with the necessary equipment across the board.
The game is played with so-called "air shuttles", which have only been available in Europe since this year.
These are a little heavier and withstand the wind better than the goose feather balls that are used in the hall.
However, play is just as impossible when the wind is too strong as when it is raining.
“Air badminton” requires a certain amount of effort and is more dependent on the weather, according to Manazon.
"But it is worthwhile in any case."
Information for spectators of the "Starnberg Open" and those interested
There are no parking spaces available on Riedener Weg.
Visitors to Starnberg are asked to come on foot if possible.
Organizers and participants park at the University for Public Service in Josef-Sigl-Straße.
Admission is free.
Some games are broadcast on www.sportdeutschland.tv.
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