Umpire clinic wraps up Bleaken’s visit

Oceania Badminton regional development manager Nadia Bleaken capped her weeklong visit on Saipan with an umpire clinic last Saturday at the TSL Sports Complex.

The evening clinic, which drew 30 members from the Northern Marianas Badminton Association, was an eye opener, as old habits were corrected and participants were introduced to the proper way of conducting a competition.

As a starter, Bleaken clarified to those in attendance that badminton does not have a set, unlike tennis. Instead, badminton has a game, which is a race-to-21 points contest. Once a player wins two games, he or she also wins a match.

The visiting official also reminded NMBA members the proper vocabulary used in badminton. A warning is given to an erring player not to someone who nears a game or match point.

Proper scoring, positioning on the court when a match is on, and introduction of players are discussed, too. Bleaken also emphasized the importance of observing game or match intervals that should not be more than 60 and 120 second with a 20-second last reminder.

“You don’t want to lose a game or match just because you failed to return to the court on time,” said Bleaken.

NMBA president Jerry Tan, who helped facilitate the umpire clinic, encouraged association members to follow these simple, but official rules not only in tournaments, but also even during pickup games.

“So by the time we host a big tournament and bring off-island players and officials, we won’t embarrass ourselves. We need to conduct ourselves in a very professional manner,” Tan said.

Meanwhile, NMBA will continue to conduct the youth clinic Bleaken started last week. The clinic for 6 to 18 age group will run until next week with NMBA members facilitating the weekday sessions from 9am to 12pm.

Last week, Bleaken held a four-day clinic and almost 100 children attended. Then on Friday, NMBA and Bleaken held a mini tournament for participants, who received certificates of attendance at the end of the clinic.

For more information about the summer clinic, contact Dick Guintu at 234-0740 or mackmack10212001@yahoo.com, Shirley Kim ay 287-6750 or shirleydlrkim@yahoo.com, and Merlie Tolentino at 235-3706 extension 158 or at merlie_tolentino@tanholdings.com.