Serve a Bird, Save a Life

By: Vivian Jair

MSJ Key Club will be holding its 6th Annual Charity Badminton Tournament (CBT) on March 3, 2013 at the Bay Badminton Center in Milpitas. The tournament will be directed by Seniors William Cheung and Derrick Long, and Certified Badminton Umpire Kevin Banh.

The tournament will be held according to Badminton World Federation (BWF) and USA Badminton (USAB) rules. Matches will be determined by the best two out of three games. Within the tournament, there are three different flights of difficulty: B (advanced), C (intermediate), and D (recreational). Players also choose from the three different events of women’s doubles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Participants are limited to a maximum of two flights per event and three events per player. Trophies will be awarded to all first-place, second-place, and consolation prize winners. During the lunch break of the tournament, the coaches of Bay Badminton Center will also hold an exhibition match to demonstrate professional badminton standards.
“I’m extremely excited for CBT,” said Senior William Cheung, who is also the MSJ Key Club President. “My hopes for this tournament is that anyone who loves badminton can compete in a fun competition and watch their friends play as well. It is a perfect opportunity to start off the 2013 badminton season and also to meet new players and friends. Best of all, it’s for a great cause!”

Key Club will be donating all proceeds raised by the CBT to The Eliminate Project, a partnership program by Kiwanis International and UNICEF. The goal of the project is to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT), a disease that kills many women and newborn babies, through the vaccinations of over 100 million mothers. The CBT’s motto, hence, is “Serve a Birdie, Save a Life”.

The deadline for Early Bird Sign-ups, for which the first event costs $15 along with a free T-shirt, is February 22. The deadline for Late Bird Sign-ups is February 28, and costs $18 for the first event without a free T-shirt. For each additional event, there is an extra $5 charge.

To sign-up for the MSJ Key Club CBT, go to http://tournamentsoftware.com/sport/tournament.aspx?id=4CBA63D6-366E-4D9B-BDF1-A068E7E73A66