Badminton Oceania Masters in Paradise 2024 tournament begins today with 60 international and 30 local players participating in the new “golden game” format at the National Sports Arena in Nikao.

Badminton Cook Islands president Thomas Mereana-Ngauru said top local players, Eric Gamez and Danny Simpson, the reigning Cook Islands men’s doubles champions, and Kathleen Bond will feature in the event.

There are some top overseas players competing, including Tracey Hallam, a Commonwealth Games medallist in women’s singles for England (2006 – gold, 2002 – silver and 1998 – bronze medals). Hallam also won gold at the New Zealand Masters National Championships 2023 in the women’s singles and mixed doubles.

There will be four matches per tie: one each for men and women’s doubles and two mixed doubles.

Matches are the best of three games to 21 points.

If matches are tied at two all, a golden game is played which is a mixed doubles match between two pairs who have not played together in the tie, to 11 points.

The winners of the medals are decided at the conclusion of group play, after the final tie in the group on Tuesday, May 27.

Gold, silver and bronze medals in each division will be awarded at the closing function/prize giving on May 28 at The Edgewater Resort and Spa.