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Stoevas: Everything here is very strict
Date: 9/16/2020 9:40 AM
Published by : Alan Raftery
In a time were everyone in the badminton community are trying to pull together for the return of badminton, Bulgaria once again shows solidarity in this movement. 

On 7-9 August in Pazardzhik, the Bulgarian Junior Open Championships 2020 successfully took place. Now we turn to the seniors aiming to make their comeback in the country, this time in the capital, Sofia. The Bulgarian International Championship 2020 is due to take place 2-4 October. 

Many notable European names are listed to play in the tournament. Luís Enrique Penalver and Linda Zetchiri are the number one seeds for the men’s and women’s singles respectively and the world number 15 women’s doubles pair and Bulgarian stars, Stefani and Gabriela Stoeva, have also entered. 

The Stoeva sisters have won this home tournament, the Bulgarian International/ Open five times in the last eight years. They will be hoping to get the double hattrick, slowly but surely chasing down the record set by their compatriot, Petya Nedelcheva, of eight titles within a single category. The Stoevas have tried their best to keep things moving during this time. 

-It is kind of strange without travelling and competing. We did not stop our practice and we are trying to keep the shape and the motivation in this hard time.

We miss it a lot
Several countries have been seen going above and beyond in their organisation of badminton events, to ensure that we continue having competitive badminton. Commenting on this, they say. 

-Yes, we are looking forward to starting our usual life again. We miss it a lot. Everything here is very strict and that’s why Bulgaria was able to make the event happen on home soil. It is good that BWF is trying to bring the badminton events back, but I think is important for everyone to be able to compete, not just a few countries. It is not interesting without the best players at the events.

This matches up with the growing uncertainty around the Thomas & Uber Cup taking place with a number of teams dropping out. However, the European Champions are remaining optimistic. 

-We are looking forward to being back in Paris and to resume our practice with our coach and club when it is safe to travel and to start the preparation for the upcoming season. We are looking forward to the Olympic Games which has been our goal for this year and will continue to be so also for 2021. 

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