Badminton Enthusiasts Clash in Thrilling Port Moresby Tournament
The Dogura sports Centre recently played host to a fiercely competitive two-day badminton tournament organized by the Good Boyz adn Bad Boyz Badminton Group. [[1]] Held on December 21st and 22nd,the event saw six teams battle it out in the Men’s A and B Doubles categories.
Benny Mendoza, one of the organizers, explained that the tournament was conceived as a way to keep players engaged during the holiday season. With many regular players away for Christmas, Tom Emnace suggested a tournament focusing on the Men’s A and B Doubles, ensuring a level playing field. [[2]]
This unique format, where players of similar skill levels competed within the same category, resulted in intense and highly competitive matches throughout the two days. Mendoza highlighted the extraordinary sportsmanship displayed by all participants, emphasizing the camaraderie and respect that characterized the event.
The tournament followed a round-robin format for the elimination rounds, with each team playing four games. This culminated in exciting semi-final and final matches, determining the ultimate victors.
While the Shuttler’s Badminton Club, led by Ray De Los Santos, typically organizes larger badminton events in Port Moresby, this tournament was a smaller, community-driven initiative. It brought together badminton enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds, including Malaysians, Americans, Indians, Indonesians, and Filipinos, united by their passion for the sport.
Mendoza expressed his sincere gratitude to the tournament’s sponsors: South Pacific Post Limited, Badili Hardware, South Pacific Builders, and Savi Money. He also extended special thanks to Tom Emnace,Geeann Naingue,and Katherine Francisco for their invaluable contributions.
Tournament Results:
B category:
Champion: Joseph Talion and Prakash Thapa
1st Runner-up: Zaldy Tagoc Jr and Jovanny Iman
2nd Runner-up: Abner Respicio and Benny Mendoza
A Category:
Champion: Cornel mirciov and Tom Emnace
1st Runner-up: Jackie Yeap and Brian Lim
2nd Runner-up: Krishnan Thatha and Muhammad Arief
Serving Up Community: A Chat with Badminton Champion Cornel Mirciov
The energy was palpable at the Dogura Sports Center. It wasn’t just the thwack of shuttlecocks against rackets; it was the spirit of camaraderie,the thrill of competition,and the undeniable passion for badminton that filled the air. The Good Boyz adn Bad Boyz badminton Group had pulled off a phenomenal community tournament, a testament to the dedication of players like Cornel Mirciov, who, alongside Tom Emnace, clinched the A category title.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Cornel, a seasoned Badminton player, to delve deeper into the tournament and the impact it had on the local badminton scene.
Me: cornel, congratulations on your victory! The matches looked incredibly intense. How did you approach the tournament, especially with the unique format focusing solely on Men’s A and B Doubles?
Cornel: Thank you! It was definitely a challenging but rewarding experiance. The round-robin format meant every match mattered, and playing against others of a similar skill level really pushed us to our limits. Having that focused competition was exciting, and it truly brought out the best in everyone.
Me: The tournament organizers, Benny Mendoza and Tom Emnace, spoke about fostering a sense of community amongst players. Do you think this smaller, more intimate tournament achieved that?
Cornel: Absolutely. You could really feel the camaraderie throughout the entire event.It wasn’t just about winning; it was about enjoying the sport we all love, connecting with fellow badminton enthusiasts from different backgrounds, and lifting each other up.
Me: You mentioned diverse backgrounds. The tournament saw participants from Malaysia, the US, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines. How crucial is this kind of representation for badminton in Port Moresby?
Cornel: It’s crucial. Badminton is a truly global sport, and having such a diverse group of players reflects the international spirit of the game. It encourages cultural exchange, broadens our perspectives, and ultimately strengthens our community.
Me: Now, some might argue that a smaller tournament like this could overshadow larger events traditionally organized by the Shuttler’s badminton Club. How do you see these two types of events coexisting within the Port Moresby badminton scene?
Cornel: I believe they complement each other perfectly. Large-scale tournaments are fantastic for showcasing the highest level of play, while smaller community-driven events like this are essential for fostering grassroots growth, nurturing new talent, and bringing people together.
Me: Looking ahead, what are your hopes for the future of badminton in Port Moresby?
Cornel: My hope is that we continue to see this level of passion and enthusiasm. We need more initiatives like this tournament, more opportunities for players of all skill levels to participate, and ultimately, more young people picking up a racket and falling in love with this amazing sport.
Cornel’s words echoed the sentiments of many who attended the tournament. It wasn’t just about the shuttlecocks and the scoreboards; it was about building a vibrant badminton community in Port Moresby, one serve at a time.
what are your thoughts? Does this type of community-driven tournament inspire you? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below!
