As part of this year’s celebration of the Subaraw Biodiversity Festival, Tropang Paluan, a local badminton club association, is launching the first-ever Subaraw Invitational Badminton Tournament scheduled on November 9 – 10 in ESG Badminton Court, Rizal Avenue Extension in Puerto Princesa.
The tournament, Tropang Paluan President Niño Alcantara explained, is a two-day tournament that they are hosting in collaboration with the City Government of Puerto Princesa.
They want to entice aspiring and official badminton athletes all around the country in promoting sportsmanship, building friendships and fostering camaraderie among the players.
“First time ‘yan sa history ng Puerto Princesa na magkakaroon tayo ng invitational badminton tournament na under sa Subaraw at sa City. Bale two-day event siya, funded ng City then’ yung ibang expenses sasagutin ng club namin. In collaboration ng City Government and Tropang Paluan ng Puerto Princesa City,” Alcantara said.
Alcantara said that at least 400 players coming from badminton clubs in Iloilo, Baguio, Manila and other locations outside the province have confirmed that they will compete in the men, women and mixed-doubles categories, respectively.
“Mayroon tayong players from Team Aries ng Manila nag-confirm na sila. May dalawang teams from Baguio. From team Iloilo mayroon din, saka team Air Force nag-confirm na din sila. Dadayo lahat ng puwede. Open siya sa buong Pilipinas,” Alcantara said.
“Ngayon as per registration mayroon na tayong 225 participants, so times two natin ‘yun kasi doubles and events natin nasa 400 participants na tayo. Pero nag-eexpect tayo ng mga 500 sa two-day event natin,” Alcantara added.
Adding to the excitement of the tournament are players from the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) in Manila.
“Magkakaroon tayo ng mga players outside Palawan like players from NCAA,” Alcantara said.
Tropang Paluan, meanwhile, is a badminton club which was founded by just six members composed of students, young proffesionals and badminton lovers on 2018 in Puerto Princesa. The number of members joining the club has been growing since and now has almost thirty (30) members.
Alcantara said that part of the organization’s long-term goals include promoting the Palaweños spirit of sportsmanship through self-to-self interaction and camaraderie.
“Nag-start lang kami diyan ng anim na members tapos ngayon marami nang sumasali kasi every night kaming naglalaro so nakahanap kami ng mga friendships diyan kaya nag-decide na kami na magbuo ng grupo,” Alcantara said.
The City Government, on the other hand, adheres to promoting this goal and has fortunately collaborated with Tropang Paluan by facilitating the first ever Subaraw Invitational Badminton Tournament sponsoring the cash prizes and awards for the winners.
The winners per division will win cash prizes amounting to P3,000 to P20,000.