Dave Fernando, the 50-year-old coach of Fernando's Youth Badminton Academy and the National Coaching Certification Program, is among the 2,000-member strong Canadian contingent to be competing in 28 different sports at the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games schedule to be held from October 10 through 18.

Apart from Fernando, Brampton's 40-year-old Ernest Nketiah will also be vying for top slot in the badminton competitions.

Over the years, both players have earned an enviable reputation in the sport of badminton while participating in local as well as international competitions.

"I have worked hard and put in so much effort for this competition and am confident of giving tough fights to my opponents," Fernando, who is representing Canada in the World Masters for the second time, told Focus.

"My training began over a year ago and I have trained physically, psychologically, technically as well as done tactical training," said Fernando.

He acknowledged his family's assistance during his training for the competitions.

"My wife prepares Gatorade nutrition, high carb food and protein-rich meal for me; my daughter Piumika (current world recketlon champion), and my elder son-in-law help me practice; while my other daughter charts out my time scheduling.

"That's a lot of encouragement and motivation that comes from my family."

The World Masters Games have been held every four years since they began in Toronto some 24 years ago in 1985.

Canada hosted the World Masters Games for the second time in Edmonton, Alberta, in 2005.

This year Sydney is hosting the 7th World Masters Games in which more than 29,000 participants from 106 countries have registered in 28 sports.

In each sport, competitions are predicted to be exciting as most of the participants are former world-class players or former national champions.

Fernando, who has been a playing and coaching for over 30 years, said: "I will try my best to win a medal for Canada.

"It's tough to train all year round with other commitments, but my passion for badminton has motivated me to prepare for the World Masters."

After the competitions, Fernanado will visit China to attend a coaching program in order to update himself about the latest techniques of badminton coaching.

His wife Audrey Fernando will accompany him as tour manager.

Fernando also thanked his sponsors for their help and financial assistance.