The Jaguars Badminton Open 2013 Tournament kicked off recently at the Olympia Sports Center courts here.

The tournament is mainly sponsored by Sarawat Superstores and co-sponsored by Dar Al Wessal Marketing Company, Solafah Trading Company, Ltd., Exposure Advertising Promotions Events Management, MultiStage Trading Co. Ltd., Alesayi Motors, Bupa Arabia, McDonald’s and Sportstrack.

Vice Consul Jim Minglana of the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, Joevin Batuhan, Pag-ibig HDMF officer, Mojaib Omary, GM of Exposure Advertising Promotions Events Management, Abdullah Talal Abdu of Dar Al Wessal Marketing Company and Aiman Kattouha of MultiStage Trading Co., Ltd. were the special guests that attended the opening ceremony.

Gerry Rabang, chairman of the Jaguars Badminton Club, delivered the welcome address and thanked the sponsors and participants for their support of the tournament.

In his speech Vice Consul Minglana said such sports events enhance the unity not only among the Filipino community but among other expatriates as well. He also thanked and praised the Jaguars Badminton Club officers and members for the hard work in organizing the tournament and wished all the participants the best of luck.

A total of 28 badminton clubs entered the competition as follows: Anta, Avocado, Bajminton, Battledores, BDP, JBDP, CIASI, Desert Falcons, Elite BC, Faisalliance, FLEEQ, Friday Boiz & Babes, Friday Group, Hataw, Indian Tigers, Jaunty, JBC, KAIA, Pak Tigers, PBB, PHOG, Nitrox, Red Sea Dragons, Shuttle Eagles, Shuttles Best, Slashers, Smaikers, Smash Arabia, Supremo and some independent players.

The Best in Team Uniform award went to Desert Falcons Badminton Club, which received a trophy, Sarawat vouchers and a basket of fruits. Runner-up was D’Smaikers Badminton Club which also received a trophy. Hannah Petilla and JM Ocampo of the host club rendered intermission numbers to entertain the crowd.

Khent Acosta of Badminton Development Pool led the oath of sportsmanship while Jaguars’ Technical Head Rupertson Ng declared the tournament open.

Pinoy Tambayan, a popular group composed of photography aficionados and headed by Chairman Alfer Jimenez, is honorary sponsor, taking care of photography during the tournament.

The master of ceremonies of the event was Jaguars’ Secretary Michael Ranir Martin.

Among the opening day winners in different playing levels and categories were: Men’s B: K.Acosta/J.Cabradilla def. M.Irshat/R.Methayil; Men’s C: R.Saavedra/A.Trinidad def. Dr.Aslam/K.Malik; Men’s D: R.Ellamar/E.Delmo def. J.Perez/J.Yap; Men’s E: S.Romarate/G.Mojares def. L.de Vera/M.San; Men’s F: E.Azucena/L.Chua def. J.Morada/C.Francisco; Women’s D: S.Sanchez/V.Flores def. L.Tiboron/J.Gandia; Women’s F: F.Resureccion/L.Boquerente def. R.Felix/C.Falic; Mixed D: V.Bicera/C.Mallari def. A.Presado/D.Abubakar; Mxed E: J.Argonza/J.Nanasca def. N.Capinpin/F.Ramos; and Mixed F: J.Oanes/R.Mendoza def. N.German/R.Dualan.

For more information regarding the tournament, the following Jaguars tournament officers may be contacted: Tournament Director Gerry Rabang (0502786550), Vice Director Manny dela Cruz (0503017865), Technical Head Rupert Ng (0501820109) and Technical Assistant Rey Capatoy (0566314071).