After several fellowship games, queuing and leveling sessions, the first leg and Governor’s Cup of the Rotary Badminton Federation D3800 tournament kicked off last October 2, 2010 at Don Antonio Sports Center, Quezon City. This event was hosted by the United Caloocan. District Gov. Jun Farcon and Lady Zeny graced the event and did the ceremonial shuttle toss. He noted in his speech that “this sport seemed better than golf judging from the small waistlines of the players present”.

    A total of 69 players from eight zones were grouped into the following teams; Yellow team from Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela, Red Team from the United Caloocan, White from the Marikina Zone, Blue for Rizal and Green from the combined zones of Mandaluyong, Pasig and San Juan.

    Under the able leadership of SAG Bobby Zamora who is the District Chair for Badminton, the tournament saw the District’s Rotarians and spouses badminton aficionados battle it out and giving their best in their respective events. And the winning team?... The Yellow Team prevailed over the White team of Marikina in a very close contest to win the Team Champion and runner-up trophies respectively. But SAG Bobby and the rest of the organizers would like to recognize the solid presence and hospitality of the Caloocan Zone, the fighting Blue shuttlers from Rizal and the smallest group from Manpasan who’s 5 man team gallantly battled against their opponents to win top honors in their levels.

    At the end of the day, the shuttlers went home bone weary with aching knees and elbows but satisfied in the camaraderie and fellowship in competition they experienced with other fellow Rotarians of the District in the sport they love. To the others who were not able to attend, there will be the 2nd and 3rd legs to look forward to early next year and summer time respectively. Likewise, there will also be several fellowship games, leveling, queuing and fun tournaments in the middle of these scheduled tournaments. So better watch for more activities in badminton this Rotary year. PP Doreen Concepcion, RC Tres Escalon Taytay, District Badminton Vice Chair

    Congratulations to the following who won in their individual categories:

Mens Division

• Level B1 - 1st - Nitri Espiritu/Alex Garcia (ManPaSan)
  Level B1 - 2nd - Jun Fetalvero/Reggie Regalado (Marikina)
• Level B2 - 1st - Allan Tamayo/Jojo Cruz (MaNaVa)
  Level B2 - 2nd - Jojo Claudio/Nollie Vinas (ManPaSan)
• Level C - 1st - Kiko Pe Benito/Ryan Samillano (Marikina)
  Level C - 2nd - Nilo Santiago/Frank Medrano (MaNaVa/Rizal)
• Level D1 - 1st - Tina Andres/Dess Vivas (Marikina)
  Level D1 - 2nd - Bobby Zamora/Mon Ducut (Caloocan)
• Level D2 - 1st - Joey Sy/Teddy Boy Ochoa (MaNaVa)
  Level D2 - 2nd - Cris Merino/Odie Zafra (Marikina)
• Level E1 - 1st - Celso Ramos/Eddie Yu (MaNaVa)
  Level E1 - 2nd - Ruben Aniceto/Mike Martinez (Caloocan)
• Level E2 - 1st - Ding Torres/Ray Amonelo (Rizal)
  Level E2 - 2nd - Emil Talavera/Boy Pascual (Rizal)

• Level D - 1st - Susan Estanislao/Doreen Concepcion (Rizal)
  Level D - 2nd - Gloria Talavera/Babes Victoria (Rizal)
• Level E - 1st - Irene Lim/Edwindina Cacho (MaNaVa)
  Level E - 2nd - Josie Tan/Mina Merino (Marikina)