Loh
06-10-2004, 12:09 AM
Our Badminton Section has not forgotten the senior players who continue to play the game despite their golden years and tired muscles.
So to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of our Graduate Society, we will be competing in the Badminton Doubles Open 2004 this Saturday afternoon. It is unfortunate that we have only 12 teams participating, but it is to be expected in view of the short notice and the difficulty in seeking out the 50-year-olds who are willing to play.
I will be partnering a 'young' man, aged 39, who originally hails from Indonesia. We played together only once before, but no matter, since this is supposed to be a fun tournament. However our team is the second oldest pair with a combined age of 102 years, the oldest team being 107 years and clearly we are at a disadvantage! My partner likes to serve high with his forehand. I have to adjust by standing slightly behind him on my own side of the court. I will also have to hint to him to change to a low serve if our opponent can smash his high serves easily since my defence is shaky.
Interestingly, the combined ages of the 12 teams totalled 1,102 years and the youngest team is 79 years. The youngest guy is 25 years old, more than half the age of his senior qualifiers.
As our Society has been given additional land to expand, we are hoping that our active involvement will move the Management Committee into building a multipurpose court in the present premises so that we do not have to resort to renting courts elsewhere for our Sunday games. This is also in line with our Society's ambition to introduce "a healthy lifestye" concept to members and their families. This is part of our lobbying efforts to build our own courts before it becomes too late.
Do wish us luck! :p
So to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of our Graduate Society, we will be competing in the Badminton Doubles Open 2004 this Saturday afternoon. It is unfortunate that we have only 12 teams participating, but it is to be expected in view of the short notice and the difficulty in seeking out the 50-year-olds who are willing to play.
I will be partnering a 'young' man, aged 39, who originally hails from Indonesia. We played together only once before, but no matter, since this is supposed to be a fun tournament. However our team is the second oldest pair with a combined age of 102 years, the oldest team being 107 years and clearly we are at a disadvantage! My partner likes to serve high with his forehand. I have to adjust by standing slightly behind him on my own side of the court. I will also have to hint to him to change to a low serve if our opponent can smash his high serves easily since my defence is shaky.
Interestingly, the combined ages of the 12 teams totalled 1,102 years and the youngest team is 79 years. The youngest guy is 25 years old, more than half the age of his senior qualifiers.
As our Society has been given additional land to expand, we are hoping that our active involvement will move the Management Committee into building a multipurpose court in the present premises so that we do not have to resort to renting courts elsewhere for our Sunday games. This is also in line with our Society's ambition to introduce "a healthy lifestye" concept to members and their families. This is part of our lobbying efforts to build our own courts before it becomes too late.
Do wish us luck! :p