SAIPAN, NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS – Following Super Typhoon Sinlaku’s impact in the Northern Mariana Islands, Badminton Oceania (BOC) and the Northern Marianas Badminton Association (NMBA) are reviewing the feasibility of upcoming tournaments.
A decision will be announced on 22 May 2026 (ChST).
The affected tournaments are the YONEX Northern Marianas Open 2026, CROWNE PLAZA Saipan International
2026, and CROWNE PLAZA Oceania Masters in Paradise 2026.
The NMI is currently recovering from the Category 4 storm that made landfall on the islands of Saipan, Rota, and Tinian on 14 April and brought destructive winds to the three islands for more than 50 straight hours. The islands suffered damage to critical facilities and infrastructure, and residential areas. Saipan is the host of the three competitions and power has yet to be restored in several villages of the island.
While the NMI is a small group of islands, its residents’ resilience stands strong. The archipelago lies in the path of typhoons, meaning the threat of storms is common. With support from the U.S. military and partner local and federal agencies, the community is already rebuilding.
Merlie Tolentino, NMBA President said: “Super Typhoon Sinlaku has had real impacts for families across Saipan—homes damaged, services disrupted, and many residents still without power. Our community has faced
major storms before, and each time we’ve seen people show up for one another and rebuild with determination. We’re proud of that resilience, and we remain hopeful we can welcome players to Saipan this year when it’s safe and appropriate to do so.”
The Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium remains operable but is currently being used as an extension of the hospital and supporting the Red Cross to assist displaced families.
“Our priority is Saipan’s recovery. The Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium is currently supporting essential community response efforts,” said Tolentino. “We’re monitoring when the gym can return to sport use, and if the
tournaments go ahead, they will be delivered at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium as planned, with no changes to venue or competition format. Any timeline updates will be guided by local needs and we will share the next
update with players on 22 May.”
Depending on the needs of the community, the following events may be affected:
- YONEX Northern Marianas Open 2026 (14 – 19 July 2026)
- CROWNE PLAZA Saipan International (21 – 25 July 2026)
- CROWNE PLAZA Oceania Masters in Paradise 2026 (29 July – 4 August 2026)
The decision will be made whether to go ahead with each event, postpone to a later date this year, or cancel one or more tournaments after consultation with local authorities and organisations in the lead-up to 22 May.
The final decision will be published on BOC social media and website on Friday 22 May 2026. Stakeholders will also be notified via email. We advise participants not to finalise travel and accommodation until this date.
If any event is postponed, revised dates and related entry and travel guidance will be confirmed as soon as possible following the 22 May announcement.
