Day 1: Growing Number of Growing Kids

Day 1:  Growing Number of Growing Kids

By Aggie Mañalac

 

We have been at this for five years running now, but today did not fail to amaze us.  We were stunned, gobsmacked at the huge throng of people that turned out on this first day of the 2008 Yonex-Sunrise Philippines National Open Badminton Championships (YSPNOBC).

 

That almost 90% of the entry forms for this year were filled out on the last 2 days of the registration was nothing new to us.  That this year’s show has the largest turn out in the tournament’s five year history, at close to 2,000 entries, was expected.  The YSPNOBC is much-awaited every year.  The continuous increase of athletes is testament to the local badminton players’ growing willingness to challenge themselves up the “unlevelled” ladder, facing the cream of the crop of old and new talents along the way.

 

But the crowd turnout today was something else.  Unlike the previous years, the YSPNOBC kicked off this year with the first round of the Juniors events.  The court teemed with aspiring youth even younger than 8 years, supportive parents in tow.  For the first time and due to popular demand, the 8 years and under category’s events separated the boys from girls.  And for the first time, we held the first day of the Juniors events on a weekend.  The result, more juniors players and more parents filling every nook and corner of the badminton arena.  It was futile and impossible beseeching kibitzers and spectators to stay clear of the court corridors – they simply wanted the ringside view of the action.   

 

We are now watching talents we have never met before and many of these are giving other rising stars a run for their money.  Homegrown talents facing never-heard-of but no-less-better talents from all over the country.

 

And this is the beauty of nurturing a world-class tournament.  We are witness to Juniors talents from 5 years ago now venturing into what are arguably tougher arenas.  While some are now competing in the 18 and above category, others are raising their antes even higher by entering the Open Category.

 

It is a constant migration and birth of maturing and nascent talents.  And the numbers just keep on growing.

 

The 2008 Yonex-Sunrise Philippines National Open Badminton Championships is presented by YONEX-SUNRISE and co-presented by PHITEN.  This event is also brought to us by:  Badminton Hub, Sportshub, My Shaldan, Makati Shangri-la, BSI Medicated Spray, Fish Designs, Potraitme.net, Tacorific, Potato Corner and our official & exclusive print partner, The Philippine Star.    The tournament runs from November 22-30, 2008 at the YPBC, Shaw Blvd, Mandaluyong City