NEWSFLASH 

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GOMA LAUNCHES BADMINTON CAMPAIGN

Quezon City, April 22, 2000 - Richard Gomez, known for his passionate involvement in sports like golf, rowing and fencing, is currently on a campaign to promote another sport - badminton.

Richard acknowledged during a recent mini-presscon that badminton is usually played by domestic helpers during their spare time so it’s called a maid’s sport. But it could be developed into a national sport because one doesn’t have to be tall to excel in it, unlike basketball, Richard said.

"We’ve been a one-sport country so far," he added, citing basketball as the biggest and most popular sport in the country. "But we could develop interest in other sports like badminton. That is the reason why we are holding the lst Sustagen Premium Badminton Challenge today, April 24," he said.

The seven-day event, in cooperation with IMG and Hartebeest Entertainment, will be held at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City.

Richard also said that they hope to make the event a yearly one, what with the enthusiasm and support that their corporate sponsors are giving them.

On April 29, Richard will spearhead a Celebrity Badminton Event to be participated in by John Estrada, Jestoni Alarcon, Mandy Ochoa, Dyan Castillejo, Joan Quintas, Domini Primero, Emil Sandoval, Patrick de la Rosa, Anthony Suntay, David Buenavacz, Jong Cuenco, Chiqui Roa, Alan Bautista among others.

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