Meet Team Canada:Young athletes set to compete at the 2018 World Junior Badminton Champion

MARKHAM, ON – October 29, 2018 – On Thursday, November 1, come meet Team Canada athletes before they compete on the world stage at the 2018 World Junior Badminton Championships. The international sports competition will be hosted by the City of Markham in partnership with Badminton Canada and Badminton Ontario from November 5 to 18, 2018 at the Markham Pan Am Centre.

“Let's cheer on Team Canada as we welcome the world to Markham," says Mayor Frank Scarpitti. "Markham loves badminton, and the Markham Pan Am Centre was built with badminton in mind. This tournament will bring our community together and inspire young athletes to pursue their dreams, while celebrating excellence in sports."

The World Junior Badminton Championships is an international sporting competition, featuring 400 athletes from close to 50 countries. Many of the Canadian athletes proudly call Markham, and York Region, home. This is only the second time in the history of the sport that the World Junior Badminton Championships will be hosted in Canada.  

Come meet Brian Yang, Canada's first-ever Olympic Badminton medalist and top ranked male junior singles player. Brian competed at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia and won the Canadian Junior Open in singles, doubles and mixed doubles back in March. He will lead Team Canada at the 2018 World Junior Badminton Championships next week.

The top ranked female junior singles player in Canada is Talia Ng. Talia won the gold medal in the women's under 19 category at the Pan American Junior Championships, and won a bronze medal in singles at the Canadian Senior Championships.
“To be able to welcome Team Canada and Team Indonesia tonight is a delight and a milestone,” says Marty Deacon, Chair, World Junior Badminton Championships 2018.  “After 18 months of planning and working with international partners, local partners such as the City of Markham, and a dedicated local Organizing committee, we are excited about welcoming the world. We look forward to hosting and creating many memories for athletes, coaches and their families.”

Join us on Thursday for the rare opportunity to meet with Brian, Talia and other Team Canada athletes as they prepare to compete against the best junior badminton players around the world!

When:
Thursday, November 1, 2018
6:00 to 6:30 p.m. | Meet Team Canada athletes — Photo Opportunity

Where:
Mandarin Badminton Club
8-500 Esna Park Drive, Markham

Who:
Mayor Frank Scarpitti
Members of Council
Marty Deacon, Chair, World Junior Championships
Joe Morissette, Executive Director, Badminton Canada
Team Canada athletes, including Brian Yang and Talia Ng  
Henry Hung, Owner, Mandarin Badminton Club

Tickets for the World Junior Badminton Championships are available here.

- 30 -

Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti's Office: Lama Nicolas, Senior Communications Advisor at lnicolas@markham.ca or 416-671-2890.
For all other media inquiries / interview requests for the City of Markham:
Erynn Sally, Media Relations Coordinator at esally@markham.ca or 416-737-2684 

Media registration, media inquiries and requests for the World Junior Badminton Championships: media2018wjc@gmail.com