The sharp smacks of rackets hitting shuttlecocks. 

The squeaking of sports shoes on the floor. 

Yells of encouragement from the crowd. 

These were the sounds that echoed throughout Badminton Hall B at the Singapore Badminton Friendlies (SBF) 2024 League on October 5th!

Proudly sponsored by FirstCom Academy, the Singapore Badminton Friendlies (SBFT) 2024 gave badminton fanatics – be they young or old, novices or pro-level players – a safe space to enjoy the game with dozens of like-minded players. 

The event truly brought together badminton lovers from all walks of life: from families with young children, to pro-level players like two-time National champion Kendrick Lee and Olympian Derek Wong! Even our CEO and founder, Jim Giam was no exception – racket in hand, Jim demonstrated FirstCom Academy’s commitment to support healthy, active lifestyles in a series of fast-paced friendly matches.

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The event consisted of two different Leagues: the Family Doubles and Competitive League. 

In the Family Doubles, children paired up with their parents in a series of adrenaline-pumping matches. It was inspiring to observe parents instilling the importance of determination and teamwork in their children from such young ages, and to watch families evolve into seasoned teammates in the heat of the matches.

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The Competitive League was an equally thrilling display of sportsmanship and athletics. No matter their skill level, the classification between novices and veterans disappeared in the four corners of the court, and everyone was treated to the simple thrill of the game. 

The boundary between skill levels were not only removed during the friendly matches; but also in FirstCom Academy’s booth at the event hall. At our Upskilling Shuttle Shootout board, everyone had a chance to win attractive gifts by smashing shuttlecocks through several holes – each representing a different benefit of professional upskilling, like salary increments, promotions, increased productivity, and more.

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As a sport, badminton is characterised by its swift pace of play – often requiring players to stay on their toes and respond to the near-unpredictable movements of a shuttlecock being served. We believe that staying relevant and up-to-date in a constantly-shifting business environment is similar; as all workers must stay sharp and return the relentless serves of life through lifelong learning and constant upskilling.

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Through our support of the Singapore Badminton Friendlies, we were pleased to contribute to the better futures of SBFT’s participants through active living and learning!