“We never really knew one another until the Community Games …”

Lai Gim Choy and Lee Man Ting from Queenstown CSC Team B in action against Tanjong Pagar Smashers. Despite a valiant effort, their team eventually went down 3-2 to Tanjong Pagar. (Photo 1 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

The Queenstown CSC’s Team B is one badminton team made up of people from all walks of life.

Some hail from the now defunct Brickwood CSC team from over a decade ago while others have only started to compete recently. A few players have also picked up their racquets again after a hiatus just to represent their CSC in the Community Games.

Queenstown CSC forms part of the Tanjong Pagar Cluster where nine teams are playing for qualification in three separate groups. Queenstown CSC is represented by two teams, a Team A and Team B. Team B finished in third place in Group B after a 2-3 loss to Tanjong Pagar Smashers.

The beginnings of the team started just under six months ago when advertisements were put out in the Resident Committee’s newsletter and brochures calling for players to join. Until about three months ago, the team was finally formed up and weekly trainings held.

Team Manager of the Queenstown CSC team Abdullah Bin Taib shared: “We train every Wednesday at Leng Kee CC, that was where we were based. We played in the evenings, so that [our players] could come after work.”

Abdullah added, “All of us stayed near each other, but we never really knew one another until [the Community Games]. We met [each other] more often, made new friends and got to see new players.”

Participating in the Community Games was certainly a positive experience for the team. Queenstown player Suliman Bin Taib said: “Now I will see them around, and once in a while I will also SMS them, remind them to come play [badminton].”

For him, his team mates have now become more than just team mates. They are now like neighbours, and more importantly, friends.