Traders Insurance team tourney set to fly

The vastly improved skills of the island's badminton players will be put to the test starting this weekend when the Northern Marianas Badminton Federation holds the Traders Insurance Badminton Team Tournament at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

This weekend's tournament will be a first for Saipan's shuttlers since they attended a clinic conducted by Oceania Badminton Confederation regional development manager Tony Mordaunt last month.

“A lot of our players have shown significant improvement after attending Tony's clinic. Now it's time to put into practice what they have learned from Tony,” tournament committee head Macoi Aguda said.

NMBF president Marconi Calindas added they are looking forward to a balance competition in the tournament, as players, whose skill level are on top of the field, are evenly distributed among the eight participating teams. NMBF also held a draft to select the eight members of each squad.

“This will be an exciting and much competitive tournament,” said Calindas, who added that umpires skills will also be tested this weekend after they went through similar clinics with Mordaunt.

The Traders Insurance-sponsored tournament will run from Nov. 22 to Dec. 14 with games to be played every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Each team will have one A-level player, three B-level players (men's), two B-level players (women's), and two C-level players (one each in the men's and women's division).

The tournament will have competitions in the mixed double, men's singles, and men's and women's doubles.

The eight teams that will battle for the championship are the Net Fighters, the Badminton All-Stars, D'Blue Powers, Bad Masters, Red Dragon Shuttlers, Gray Hawks, Smash Killers, and Team Yellow.

Meanwhile, Traders Insurance handed over a $2,000 donation for the NMBF tournament.

Aguda received the check from Traders Insurance general manager Ernesto Licop during the brief press conference at Trader's office in Beach Road, San Jose Village yesterday.

Joining Aguda in the ceremony were several NMBF officials.

“We thank Traders Insurance for their continuing support to badminton. Their donation is very much appreciated especially at this time when most of the businesses are experiencing financial problems,” Aguda said.

“Traders Insurance is committed to help any organization which promotes physical fitness, camaraderie, and sportsmanship. We are looking forward to a successful tournament. To the participants, have fun and do your best to win,” Licop said.
(Saipan Tribune)