Making a Case for Corporate Badminton

Making a Case for Corporate Badminton

- Dan Rupinta

MM (not her real name) graduated from a top university in the Philippines.    During her school days, she excelled in academics & was the No.1 badminton player in her school’s varsity.   Two months out of the university, she got into the management program of a top multinational firm in the country.   Like PJ, RS was also a former standout in the UAAP Badminton competition.   He now works for a top Financial Institution & is enjoying his participation in various tourneys while working on his banking career.

 

These are just two of a myriad of stories regarding the entry & integration of badminton players into the corporate setting.  

 

The resurgence of badminton in the Phils has provided a unique opportunity for the country’s top collegiate badminton players in terms of employment options.   While academics still play a big role in employment selection, it is beyond doubt that many companies are now becoming partial towards top badminton players.  “We use to see this bias only to elite collegiate basketball players, and now I see companies that are aggressively recruiting talented badminton players”, one university coach says.     In the recently concluded 2008 Interbank Badminton circuit for example, there are at least 10 players representing various banks, who are former UAAP & Palarong Pambansa players.     

 

Badminton players, or athletes in general, are basically driven, competitive and very goal-oriented.  These are three of the most important traits that make one successful in the corporate setting.  Moreover, they thrive very well in an environment that requires cooperation & team spirit.  In dominating this year’s Interbank Badminton circuit, Citibank team attributed its success to the players’ cohesiveness and superior team spirit.    “It was a testament to total team effort as we won the title even while missing some of our best players", Citibank team Captain Dindo Dayrit said after capturing last Oct 2008 its 11^th corporate tourney title in 4 years.   

 

This is a welcome development for Philippine sports.  More often than not, top Philippine athletes have limited options after retirement.   We can only wish that our young and aspiring badminton talents will strive to excel in the sport they love with the goal of landing a job in top companies and move one step further in assuring themselves of a bright future.

 

Catch the elite corporate badminton teams in the country as they compete in the Corporate Category of the 2008 Yonex-Sunrise Phils National Open Badminton Championships.   For the past five years, the Corporate Category of this annual tournament has been very well-participated with many participants who are former standouts in the UAAP badminton.    Amongst this year’s expected participants are telecom giants, PLDT and Globe, triple 2008 Interbank Badminton champion Citibank and Print media & badminton powershouse, The Philippine Star. 

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.  Registration deadline:  Nov 12, 2008