Friday, 17 May 2024

Badminton Pan America

I grew up in Jamaica, with a Chinese father and Jamaican-born Chinese mother. My parents were supermarket managers, so I spent a lot of time there. Sports didn’t really interest me until high school.

My uncle used to play badminton competitively, but I didn’t pay much attention to it at the time. In high school, it was just something to do.

When I was around 14 or 15, my family and friends would play badminton outdoors at night. It was a fun activity, similar to tennis which I used to play. But when I started playing more seriously, I was amazed by the power and speed of the game compared to tennis.

At 19, I used to go to the badminton hall at night, even if I couldn’t rent a court. I would watch others play and fell in love with the sport. I eventually met friends who played on the national team and would trade them a drive to Burger King in exchange for training on court.

After some time, I asked a friend from the B division to play A division doubles with me. We played against the No. 1 pair in the island and lost. But that match changed everything. Dr. Kingsley Ford, now my coach, gave me feedback on what I did wrong and I asked him to train me. After a probation period, I was able to train with the national team and eventually started assisting Kingsley with their training.

Tham Khảo Thêm:  BWF News

Badminton now plays a huge role in my life. I coach, educate coaches, and string rackets for top players in Jamaica. I do everything I can to support and build the sport because I truly enjoy it.

Badminton is a sport that is inclusive of all ages, genders, skill levels, and races. It can be played at a casual level or at a highly competitive level. It’s a sport that requires speed, power, and explosiveness, making it one of the most challenging sports in the world. It also involves tactics and strategies that few other sports can match.

Developing badminton in my community has been a rewarding experience. It has allowed me to meet new people and introduce the sport to those who have previously only played traditional sports.

Shuttle Time has had a significant impact in my region by targeting schools and younger children, getting them involved in badminton. It not only introduces the sport to kids but also educates teachers, ensuring that they can teach badminton to a new set of children every school year, increasing the exposure of the sport.

Badminton has taught me valuable lessons and has taken me to places I never thought I would go. It’s a sport that bridges gaps and opens up new opportunities.