The atmosphere inside the Busaiteen Sports Club was electrified with the sound of shuttlecocks and the cheers of passionate players as the Filipino Badminton League Bahrain hosted its highly anticipated “Battle of the Brands” badminton tournament on September 26th, 2025.
Approximately 80 dedicated players participated, representing four of the foremost sports brands: Mizuno, Victor, Lining, and Yonex. After a day filled with intense rallies and dynamic play, it was the Mizuno team ultimately being declared the winner.
The program commenced with a parade of teams, followed by a prayer led by Allysa Osia, and the singing of both the Bahrain and Philippine National Anthems.
In his opening remarks, Christian Martizano, FBL Bahrain president expressed gratitude to all participants for their involvement in the tournament and underscored the significance of health, fitness, and an active lifestyle.
In an inspiring address, Dr. Orvile A. Ballitoc, Labor Attaché of the Philippine Embassy, congratulated FBL for bringing the community together through the tournament, highlighting how such events promote both mental and physical well-being.
Creating order and coherence to the tournament, Technical Committee Chairman Josiah Babad presented a detailed overview of the prospectus of the competition ensuring everyone understood the rules and structure. The program continued with Mary Ann Lumaban leading the Oath of Sportsmanship, a moment that reminded players of the true spirit of the game fair play, camaraderie, and mutual respect.
Further bolstering the significance of the event, Good Cause Bahrain president, Antonette Guese – Avila highlighted the tournament’s intrinsic value in uniting Filipinos in Bahrain.
Sixteen-year-old Bahraini player Yasmeen Abdulhadi Alisa of Mizuno team shared, ‘’One of the most memorable moments of my badminton journey happened today at the FBL Battle of the Brands. It was my very first tournament, and I felt excited but nervous. I used to think tournaments were all about winning and losing, but I realized they are much more than that—they are about friendships, fun, and sportsmanship. It’s about pushing your limits and enjoying the challenge. After all the training and hard work, our team won, and I am absolutely delighted. It may have been tough and tiring, but I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.”
The awards were presented to Victor, who received both Best in Uniform and Best Male & Female Character.
Judges for the event were Dr. Orville A. Ballitoc, Ms. Antonette Avila and Ms. Belinda Manal.
Medical support during the tournament was provided by Kims Health Medical Center, led by Dr. Kristin Curay Villanueva. Services included paramedic and emergency care, as well as monitoring of blood sugar levels and blood pressure for participants who needed assistance.
The “Battle of the Brands” tournament proved to be more than just a display of athletic prowess. It served as a powerful platform for fostering teamwork, celebrating sportsmanship, and strengthening the bonds of community engagement among Filipinos residing in Bahrain, solidifying the FBL’s role as a central hub for their active and social lives.
The Filipino Badminton League (FBL) Bahrain is led by President Christian Martizano, with Junil Piencenaves serving as Vice President, Glaiza Espinoza as Secretary, Kevin Salamat as Treasurer, and Josiah Babad as Technical Head. The team is further supported by representatives Katrina Lim, Grace Protacio, Alvin Hinay, William Gonzaga, Alfred Alimuin, Reigh Manuel, and Rustan Villanueva.
