Junior badminton playersin Mexico coaching camp

The event is part of the Regional Mobile Academy (RMA) scheduled once a year for Pan-Am member organisations.

The academy is a 2012-2016 Olympics Pan-Am initiative, which is categorised into two levels: for 15-18 year old players - PANAM-TALENT and for 12-15 year old players - PROJECT- FUTURO.

The objective is to set up a special project for the best juniors in the Pan-Am so that they are given the opportunity to grow and develop by providing elite training exposure and an opportunity to spar with top junior internationals.

A special Pan-Am Coaching Staff has been identified for the project, including some of the top coaches in the world.

Espinoza and Honore are two of the group of national players from member countries who will attend the camp. Players are selected based on the criteria.

This includes competition history and national ranking, players on the borderline of the International Badminton Federation selection criteria and players who have performed exceptionally well at the Pan-Am Juniors or other international junior competitions.

Both players competed at the CAREBACO Junior Tournament recently held in Suriname. Honore, a 15-year-old right-handed player earned one gold, one silver and one bronze in the Under-19 and Under-17 categories respectfully at the tournament.

She teamed up with mixed doubles partner Deron Seepaul to achieve top honours in the Under-19 category. Espinoza, who holds a national number two ranking in the Under-17 category, earned bronze in the tournament.

Espinoza and Honore competed in the XVI Junior Pan Am Tournament on the way to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.