PBA starts regional badminton program

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Badminton Association has put on track its regional development program, beginning with a weeklong series of activities, including workshop, clinics and a tournament, in Iloilo City recently.

Thirty-five technical officials took part in the day-long workshop conducted by director Teody Villaflor, who passed the Umpires Accreditation Course of the Asian Badminton Federation in Thailand, while 24 coaches attended the technical course using the Badminton World Federation syllables, which featured the latest in badminton technology.

More than 40 kids also participated in the clinics at the Sportsville Badminton Center.

Meanwhile, Anthony Co and partner Boy Mejica and the Rina Joy Ambatung-Rosalinda Contreras tandem led the winners in the Ming Ramos Cup, put up by the region’s junior and senior executives as a tribute to PBA president and former First Lady for her leadership and commitment that spurred the growth of RP badminton.

Co and Mejica ruled the men’s doubles 30-and-above division over Jerome Escubio and Jo Gaitan while Ambatung and Contreras toppled Sabina Layson and Mary Jane Pamplona to reign in the ladies side of the event that drew more than 200 participants.

Co and Mejica also went on to claim the 40-above crown, besting Edgar Tui and Julian Villanueva while Medy Martinez and Hera Mirano topped the ladies side with a victory over Ma. Theresa Montinola and Rorette Salazar.

Percival Carnaje and Edilberto Oreta foiled Florentino Alerta and Lumart Java to cop the 50-above crown while Tess Braga and Ivy Gurrea took the ladies plum over Joji Bartolo and Ruth Jelua.

Meanwhile, the PBA admonished the organizers of the recent Flypower National Age Group Championships for their misinformation campaign and blatant disregard of the PBA’s authority to sanction such tournaments.

“As the governing body of the sport in the Philippines, it is the PBA’s main duty that badminton tournaments, most especially if it is a national level, are run in accordance with the rules and standards of the Badminton World Federation/Badminton Asia Confederation and the PBA.

The tournament was not sanctioned by the PBA.