Badminton sets course for future

Hugh Graham was elected president of the Cook Islands Badminton Association at the body’s annual general meeting last Thursday night.

Joining him on the committee are Chris Rahui as vice president, Janette Oliver as general secretary, Shane Andrew as treasurer, and Harry Ivaiti, Ruta Oliver, Mere Paitai and Nikki Delaney in the remaining committee roles.

Graham said the association would look at ways it could expand on badminton’s social and competitive events for the coming years.

Before the end of 2012, Graham hopes to have badminton established in at least two outer islands; promote the sport in the business community in Rarotonga; invite Oceania Badminton to visit Rarotonga to conduct training for players, coaches and umpires; plan a masters tournament and bring in some overseas players for a ‘badminton holiday’ in the Cooks.

Graham hopes to achieve his vision with the help of the entire badminton board.

“It’s about leading from the front, discussing and empowering other board members to take ownership of the vision and then to make it happen,” he said.

“It’s about talking then action, sure mistakes are bound to happen, but that’s all about growing, growing badminton, mistakes can be corrected then its about continuing the momentum for the betterment of badminton.”

Graham said the association had a great advocate for sports in vice president Papa Chris Rahui.

Rahui is a retired physical fitness instructor from the Army and has spent time in physical fitness at the Massey University in Palmerston North, where he became the director of sport and specialised in badminton.

“We are very fortunate to have Papa Chris, now living here Rarotonga, with his experience in coaching and playing badminton,” Graham said.

Badminton is now being played on Monday and Thursday nights. On Mondays, play starts at 4.30pm for primary and college students, with social games for adults on after the junior games.

On Thursday nights, competitive games are played from 5.30pm to 9pm. Costs are $1 for students and $2 for adults on Mondays, and $5 for Thursdays.

Graham is also the president of the Cook Islands Volleyball Federation.

For more information on badminton or the association, contact Hugh Graham 52287; Janette Oliver 76111, Chris Rahui 57085 or Shane Andrew 55018.