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Badminton returns to CNMI after typhoon devastation

From RNZ Pacific · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • International badminton tournaments are underway in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) three months after Super Typhoon Sinlaku caused devastation.
  • Over 200 players and officials from 20 countries are competing in the Northern Marianas Open and Saipan International tournaments, the first major sports event since the typhoon.
  • Despite significant damage from two typhoons, local organizers and partners worked to ensure the tournaments could proceed, showcasing the resilience of the CNMI people.

International badminton has returned to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) this week, marking a significant moment three months after Super Typhoon Sinlaku devastated the US territory.

It is hard to believe sitting here today that we are about to start the tournaments tomorrow.

— Jerry TanNorthern Marianas Sports Association president on the eve of the tournaments.

Oceania Badminton confirmed that over 200 players and officials from 20 countries are in Saipan to compete in the Northern Marianas Open and the Saipan International tournaments. This event is the first international sports competition held in the CNMI since the destructive typhoon.

What you see today is not what we saw even two weeks ago. The Northern Marianas Badminton team has put in a lot of hard work to make this happen.

— Jerry TanNorthern Marianas Sports Association president on the efforts to organize the tournaments.

Jerry Tan, president of the Northern Marianas Sports Association, highlighted the immense effort involved. "What you see today is not what we saw even two weeks ago," he said, emphasizing the hard work of the NMI Badminton team to make the tournaments a reality. NMI team member Genelyn Lansangan added that hosting the event demonstrates the resilience of the people, stating, "To represent the NMI, despite everything that we went through, shows that we, the people of NMI, are resilient, and that we are here to do our best and represent the flag with pride."

To represent the NMI, despite everything that we went through, shows that we, the people of NMI, are resilient, and that we are here to do our best and represent the flag with pride.

— Genelyn LansanganNMI team member on the significance of hosting the tournament post-typhoon.

The tournaments faced disarray after a second typhoon hit the islands two weeks ago, undoing recovery work. However, the Northern Marianas Badminton Association, with support from local and federal partners, worked tirelessly to ensure the events could proceed. The first day saw intense matches at the Gilbert C Ada Gymnasium, with local players Jude Mallari and Evan Seguritan advancing in the men's singles. International players also showcased strong performances, including New Zealand's Raphael Deloy and American Ella Lin.

I'm pretty happy with my performance, playing singles is a bit difficult as I've been playing doubles a lot.

— Raphael DeloyNew Zealand doubles player after winning his first international singles match.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by RNZ Pacific in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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