COMEBA’s main objective is the promotion and development of Badminton in the countries of the Mediterranean basin as well as the eventual integration of Badminton in the Mediterranean Games.
COMEBA actively promotes healthy competition between its member countries in a spirit of friendship and fairness, free from performance-enhancing drugs.
In this regard COMEBA, jointly with the Lebanese Badminton Federation (LBF), recently organised the first edition of the Mediterranean Open Championship. This took place in Beirut from the 15 - 18 October 2009 inclusive.
The Championship was played on an Individual basis and was spread over the traditional five categories, namely: Men’s and Women’s Singles, Men’s and Women’s Doubles as well as Mixed Doubles.
Five COMEBA member countries took part in this event: Italy, Cyprus, Syria, Morocco and Lebanon. The participating players all gave their best and the standard of play was high throughout the entire competition.
The Referee of the Championship was Mr. Ahmed Darabia, who was assisted by Mr. Mahmoud Hattamli; both are from Jordan. The hosting Lebanese Federation provided all the necessary court officials.
The event was attended by Mr. John Attard, Secretary General of COMEBA, as well as by Ms. Andriana Malekides, COMEBA Treasurer.
The Championship received extensive coverage in the regional printed media as well as on television and on the internet.
The talented Syrian players left an indelible mark on the event, dominating four of the five categories and carrying off an impressive haul of medals.
The overall medals table reads as follows:
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COUNTRY
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GOLD
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SILVER
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BRONZE
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· Syria
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4
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2
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1
|
|
· Italy
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1
|
3
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2
|
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· Morocco
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--
|
--
|
1
|
|
· Cyprus
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--
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--
|
1
|
Syria’s four gold medals relate to the three Doubles (MD, WD and MXD) as well as the Women’s Singles titles which were ably taken by its players Amar Awad, Mohamad Saleh, Hadel Kareem and Sanna Mahmoud.
Italy’s sole gold medal relates to Marco Mondavio’s Men’s Singles title victory.
The prize-giving ceremony, held at the end of the Championship, was attended by a number of leading local sports personalities among whom were IOC member Mr. Toni Khoury and Mr. Selim Hajj Nicolas, Vice President of the Mediterranean Table Tennis Union.
In his speech during the closing ceremony, Mr. Attard stated that this event would remain highlighted in COMEBA’s history since it was its very first international tournament. He also thanked LBF President, Mr. Jassem Kanso, for the organisation of the event.
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John Attard
Secretary General
Confederation of Mediterranean Badminton.
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19th October 2009.
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