The Oceania Masters in Paradise 2024 Badminton tournament has proven successful with local team Kōrero o te ‘Ōrau’s ‘Ātui’anga ki te Tango (AKTT) winning a bronze medal in the 35+ competitive division.

Badminton Cook Islands hosted the biennial tournament that featured 60 international and 30 local players in Rarotonga from May 24-28.

President Thomas Mereana-Ngauru said the tournament was a massive success with high level competition.

More overseas teams are already planning to return in 2026, adds Mereana-Ngauru.

“The compliments received from overseas teams was overwhelming with teams confirming they will be back in 2026 including one New Zealand club president saying he will bring over 10 teams,” Mereana-Ngauru said.

He said it was a pleasure to have the best masters players from around the region in Rarotonga and an opportunity for Cook Islands players and juniors to witness and share their skills.

On May 25, the overseas and local players, including the juniors, shared the court during a Yankee tournament organised by Badminton Oceania. The event allowed the masters players an opportunity to spend time with the young players, sharing their skills and promoting the development of badminton in the Cook Islands. 

“They also showed their support by purchasing Masters in Paradise competition polo’s which helped raise $3000 towards our Cook Islands Junior U19 Team to the BWF World Junior Championships in China in October.”

At the closing ceremony on Tuesday evening, the Cook Islands Badminton received a cheque of $5000 from Badminton Oceania, the organisers of the tournament, to help with the Junior U19 Team’s preparation.

The federation also received another generous donation of $2000 from Jenny’s Beach House and Jennifer Besetimoala. Besetimoala, who also brought a team named “Jeans Blue” all the way from Perth, is donating in honour of her late mother, Ruta Olliver, who many years ago helped revive badminton in the Cook Islands.

“The team Jeans Blue also gave a donation which was so unexpected and most appreciated,” Mereana-Ngauru said.

“Many friendships were formed while we welcomed friends who have returned.

“There were offers to assist our juniors when they next competed overseas including an offer to sponsor our team’s uniforms to Junior Worlds and Oceania Championships in February (2025).”

Mereana-Ngauru added that they were happy with the performance of the local players, especially team AKTT who managed a bronze medal in the 35+ competitive division. 

Badminton Cook Islands thanked Badminton Oceania, the local organising committee, The Edgewater Resort, Bank of the Cook Islands, Vodafone Cook Islands, Vonnias Ltd, Te Aponga Uira, Cook Islands Tourism, Captain Tama’s, CISNOC, CIIC, Te Autu Performing Arts, Travel and Trudeinus Tuaputa, Zephania Aperau-Toa, Tamariki Manuia and Julie Carrel, chief executive officer Badminton Oceania, alongside Lisa Schmidt “for making it all happen”.

Results

35+ Competitive Division – Gold - No 3 Sets (NZ), Silver - Super Smash Bros (NZ), Bronze - AKTT (local team); 40+ Recreational Division – Gold - The Wine Bar Surgeons (NZ), Silver - WanFang (NZ), Bronze - Jeans Blue (AUS);  

55+ Competitive Division – Gold - Kiwi All Sorts (NZ), Silver - Run like the Winded (NZ), Bronze - Annes Team (NZ).