Cyprus will be hosting it’s first international elite tournament since 2013.

This week Cyprus International will be played. This is the first time in six years that Cyprus will be hosting an international elite tournament.

BEC’s Centre of Excellence has a lot of players who will be playing the tournament. Jonathan Dolan, Toni Woods and Matthew Abela are some of the players.

Motivated and excited
Lilit Poghosyan, who practices and lives at Centre of Excellence, will be participating in Cyprus International. She will play the women’s singles category, where she is seeded as number 4.

Badminton Europe asked Poghosyan before the tournament about her expectations and who she sees as a favourite in the women’s singles category.

- I am very motivated and excited to play in this tournament. I am looking forward to some good matches and hoping to perform well. I am now focusing on my performance, one step at a time, and with the right mindset and focus I believe I have a good chance of reaching the semi-finals, Poghosyan said.

- I don't think there is a favourite in the women's singles, I think everyone has a chance to win it.

Back from an injury
Lilit Poghosyan has been out for half a year because of an injury. Cyprus International will be her second tournament after coming back.

- This is my second tournament after being injured for half a year, so it's just about coming back to feeling the rhythm and trying to perform my best. It's not going to be easy, everyone is almost the same level and I know I have to work hard and fight to win the matches.