COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Eight female athletes representing USA Badminton (USAB), including 2008 U.S. Olympians Eva Lee (Orange, Calif.) and Mesinee “May” Mangkalakiri (Garden Grove, Calif.) will travel to Tehran, Iran to compete in the Fajr International Badminton Tournament, February 5-8, 2009, at the invitation of the Iranian Badminton Federation. In conjunction with the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) a delegation of 12 Americans, made up of players, coaches and officials, will travel to Tehran for the tournament from February 3- 9, 2009. The Fajr Tournament is a respected international badminton event and an opportunity to compete against a talented Iranian team and other international talent. Last year teams representing 23 countries competed in the Iranian tournament which celebrated its 19th year. The event is sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and results will count toward each player’s international ranking.
