The inaugural Island Dairies EZ Sip James Walsh Classics Badminton tournament in honour of principal of Brown’s Town Community College started on Saturday, February 22 at the Noranda Sports Complex Discovery Bay, St Ann and ended in Kingston Friday, February 28. Mr Walsh who will be retiring in August has given 38 years of service to education.Noranda Bauxite Partners and Island Dairies sponsored this tournament. The tournament consisted of under-15 singles, D and Open divisions consisting of singles and doubles. The tournament had a total of 110 entries, which attracted players from St. Ann and Kingston. It consisted of players as young as eleven (11) years old through to 23 years old.Several National Junior Players from various schools and institutions such as Dupont Primary, St. Jago, Alpha Academy, Holy Childhood and Haile Selassie High School were present along with individuals from UTech and UWI and Brown’s Town Community College.
Here are the results from the finals that were played on the first day:
· ‘D’ division female singles: Gabrielle Burnett (#1seed) defeated Leslie Ann Thompson (#2seed) 21-9, 21-15.
· ‘D’ division female doubles: Mishka Reid/ Leslie Ann Thompson defeated Gabrielle Burnette/PetaGaye Carter 21-18, 21-17.
· Open female singles: Iesha Gordon (#1seed) defeated Taina Daley (#3 seed) 21-13, 21-15.
· Open mixed doubles: Shaquille Palmer/Nicardo Reid (#1seed) defeated Dilan Miller/ Sean Clarke 21-19, 19-21, 21-12.
The tournament concluded Friday, February 28, with the playing of the under-15 finals, D male singles /doubles and Open male singles and Open female doubles. This was held at the Haile Selassie High School. Results:Under 15: Adam Taylor defeated Brandon Cain 21-9, 21-7
‘D’ men singles: Isaac Roberts defeated Oshane Newland 21-16, 21-11
‘D’ men doubles: Isaac Roberts and Justin Taylor defeated Oshane Newland and Adam Taylor 21-16, 21-12
Open male singles: Shaquille Palmer defeated Nicardo Reid 16-21, 21-12, 21-16
Open female doubles: Iesha Gordon and Shante Smith defeated
Taina Daley and Shezelle McTyson 21-7, 19-21, 21-19
