Asuncion Badminton Center San Juan shuts doors after 18 years

Asuncion Badminton Center (ABC), one of the country’s leading institutions of the sport, announced on Monday, August 24, that it is closing its gym after 18 years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We are officially announcing that the Asuncion Badminton Center (San Juan) will be closing its doors after 18 years of serving the sport of badminton,” wrote the training center in its official statement.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge for the whole country, but more so for the sport of badminton. With the ‘new normal’ rules on quarantine and social distancing, and the prohibition on indoor gatherings, the sport has been completely inactive for the past few months. And the situation will likely not improve for many months or even years, until the pandemic eventually goes under control.”

ABC closed all its courts and physical facilities, and suspended its face-to-face training programs. However, the badminton center will continue offering online training.

“We hope that the pandemic will come under control, so that we can resume both actual court games and our formal training programs,” ABC added.

Former national badminton player Nestor Asuncion established ABC after his successful coaching stint with the Valle Verde badminton team.

He has produced a number of national team members, including his children Kennevic “Vic” Asuncion and Kennie Asuncion, as well as Kennie’s women’s doubles partner Amparo Lim.

The Asuncion siblings and Lim have landed podium finishes in major tournaments such as the US Open and the Southeast Asian Games.

UAAP badminton most valuable players and champions Bianca Carlos and Geva de Vera of the Ateneo Lady Eagles were also products of ABC.

The badminton center in San Juan has also become a go-to place for annual summer clinics and regular training practices for youth development in the sport. – Rappler.com