NMBF invites members for Saturday Open

By Jon Perez
Reporter
Saipan Tribune

Northern Marianas Badminton Federation is inviting its members to join them for today's third day of its Saturday mini tournament from 8am to 11am at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Badminton Weekend Open began on Feb. 9 and is one of NMBF's programs for 2008 to promote the sport, establish camaraderie among its members, and improved the level of competition among the players.

NMBF members who want to join are paired up in a blind draw, knockout match format. The events played are in men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles.

Last week, the mixed doubles pair of Hapi Gabriel and Marlene Peraja defeated the duo of Diane Dar Juan and Lito Mendoza, 16-21, 21-18, 21-14, to claim the week’s bragging rights.

Only two courts are being used for the mini-tournament with the other four reserved for those players who don't want to join the games.

Last Feb. 9, Ryan Achas and Jojo Lazaro won the men’s doubles, while Dar Juan teamed up with Merlie Savellano to emerge victorious in the women’s division.

Sign up is ongoing for Saturday's mix doubles event. The entrance fee is $3.00 per player. For more information, get in touch with NMBF secretary Hapi Gabriel or Juliet Ramos.

NMBF is also thanking JET Holdings, Jeanine Beauty Salon, Manic Inn, Reliance Construction, Traders Insurance, SaipanCell, LabTech, Makeover Beauty Salon, Trends Beauty Salon, Genoveva’s Hair Power, Inc., Wear-a-Marconi, Apex Remittance, Vargas Construction, Cielo’s Jewelry Creations, Pacific Trading Co., and ESolutions, Inc. that donated raffle prizes that were given away during the induction party on Feb. 16.

NMBF is also extending their appreciation to PTI, Traders Insurance, LabTech, Pure H20, Pacific Marine, Sun Palace, Shirley’s Coffee Shop, Salon de Manila, Tan Holdings, SaipanCell, BME & Sons Construction, Tropex Garden, and L&M Enterprises that sponsored squads in the inaugural Mixed Team Tournament last year.

The NMBF Mixed Team Tournament was held in cooperation with Admaran International, Coral Ocean Point, Jollibee, Macatangay Dermhealth Saipan, Micronesian Brokers Inc., Truong’s Vietnamese Restaurant, Vargas Construction, EI Freight Micronesia, Inc., Manic Inn, and Elite Printing.