There are many sports available for everyone. If you are considering enrolling your kids in a sport or looking for one to take up yourself, you will find plenty of options. Participating in a sport offers numerous benefits, including improvements in both physical and mental health.
Generally, all sports can be categorised into four groups which are individual sports, partner sports, team sports and extreme sports. You can use this categorisation to decide on the sport you are interested in pursuing. In this article, we will be looking into one specific sport that can be categorised as a single or partner sport. This sport is highly popular in Malaysia with famous athletes coming from this country. The sport we are referring to is none other than badminton.
What is Badminton?
Badminton is a widely enjoyed sport in Malaysia. It is played not only by kids but also by adults of all ages. Badminton falls under two of the four sports groups which are individual sports and partner sports.
Badminton first came about in the 1800’s. It was created by the British military who were stationed in British India. Badminton was not known by this name at the beginning, instead, it was known as ‘Battledore’. What set this sport apart from the others was, unlike most other racquet sports, the battledore did not use a ball instead it used shuttlecocks. A shuttlecock, as its name suggests, is a cork with feathers attached to it. This sport, like the other racquet sports in Britain at this point, was only played by the upper classes.
The major change in this sport happened in the 1800s as well. This is when the army in India introduced the net and court to this game. The sport was later reintroduced to Britain from India and was played at the Duke of Beaufort's residence. This is where the retired officers would play this sport.
You might be wondering how the sport came to be known as badminton. Beaufort's residence is Badminton House located in Gloucestershire, and it is from this place that the sport took on the name badminton.
Although it was the British who were known to have introduced badminton, the roots of this sport can be traced all the way back to ancient Greece, China and India.
Badminton has developed over time, and the first federation for the sport was founded in 1934. This is when this sport started to be regulated with tournaments all over the world.
So how does one play badminton? The minimum number of players needed is two and this goes up to a maximum of four players in total. The game will take place on a court divided by a net. The players will position themselves on opposite sides of the badminton court. They will hit the shuttlecock across the net, aiming to land it on the other player’s side of the court. When the shuttlecock hits the ground, the rally will come to an end. This might seem easy and simple but you will be surprised with the stamina it takes to play badminton.
Why is Badminton Popular?
Badminton is a very popular sport not only in Malaysia but all over the world. In fact, badminton is always listed as one of the top ten popular sports all over the world. You might wonder why this is so. Let us look at some points on why this sport garners interest from all over the world.
Inexpensive
When it comes to sports, badminton stands out for its affordability. Unlike squash, tennis, and swimming which require hefty investments, getting into badminton doesn't break the bank, making it a fantastic choice for those seeking fun without the financial strain! Badminton doesn’t need a special court or place to play. Badminton can be played almost anywhere such as in your garden and recreational parks.
Minimal Equipment
All you need to play badminton is a pair of badminton racquets and a shuttlecock. You don't need a net or a court or any special attire. Most Malaysians have memories of playing badminton barefoot at home with their friends. More often than not, people tend to shy away from a specific sport because it is not accessible and can be quite expensive.
For example, you will need to invest in swimming attire and a swimming pool membership or entry fee if you are looking to swim and this is not always affordable and accessible to some.
Badminton racquets on the other hand are not that expensive, you can get a decent racquet for as cheap as RM25 and a decent pack of 12 shuttlecocks for RM39 and these will last you for a very long time. Spending less than RM100 for a couple of years of playing badminton is a good deal, isn’t it?
Health Benefits
Similar to other sports, badminton is also an exercise that is not only beneficial to your mental but also physical health. You not only get to relieve stress and channel that energy somewhere useful but you also get to keep fit and stay healthy. There are many health benefits to learning and playing badminton. We have an article that talks about this in detail. If you would like to learn more about badminton and its benefits, you should head over to The Amazing Benefits of Badminton for more details.
Fun
One of the best parts about badminton is the sheer fun you can have just playing it. Badminton is an interactive sport that is accessible to people of all ages. You can play badminton if you are 7 or 70! You can play badminton with a group of friends and even with your entire family. More often than not, when you watch a badminton match, there are either 2 players or 4 players. These are generally the numbers of players in a badminton match but if you are playing it at home, you can have as many players as you want. It can be 2 against 1 or even 3 against 3. Your imagination is the limit. This makes this sport extremely fun to play.
Professional Badminton Matches
Since the establishment of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) in July 1934, the sport has grown tremendously. The first international badminton competition was held by BWF in 1977 on top of the competition held in several countries. This marked the beginning of badminton, and today, nearly 50 years later, the sport has grown significantly, becoming both world-renowned and an Olympic event. Over the course of this year only, there are many badminton matches held all over the world from Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Germany, France, and many more. As you can see from this extensive list, badminton is a worldwide sport.
Badminton also debuted in the Olympics in 1922 which was held in Paris and this sport has continued to be one of the Olympic sports till today.
History of Badminton in Malaysia
If you are a Malaysian, badminton is a sport that you will have been familiar with. From playing this sport with your friends and family, all the way to watching the Sidek brothers to Lee Chong Wei.
Badminton was said to have arrived in Malaysia in the 1800’s through officials from the British India Company. At this time, badminton was known as Poona. We are able to trace this fact all the way back through the pictures in the Penang Museum of British officials playing the game of badminton.
Over the years, this sport grew and became popular in Malaysia. Founded in 1934, the Badminton Association of Malaya (BAM) has endured through the years and continues to be affiliated with and acknowledged by prominent organizations such as the BWF, Badminton Asia (BA), and the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).
Malaysian badminton players have graced the world stage and won numerous competitions and medals. Malaysia is known to have one of the world’s best badminton players who has changed the world of badminton. We will go through more of this in our article titled The Most Iconic Badminton Players of All Time where you will find details on famous Malaysian badminton players as well as the famous serve that rocked the world of badminton. In this article, we will also look at badminton players from other countries all over the world.
Badminton is a game suitable for individuals of every age group. It is never too late to learn how to play badminton. If you are looking to learn how to play badminton or if you plan to nurture your kids to carve a name for themselves in badminton, hiring a personal trainer is one of the best ways to do this. Superprof is an online platform that connects students to tutors from all over the world for a variety of subjects and hobbies including badminton. We have coaches on our platform who will not only be able to teach you the proper techniques for playing badminton but also help you understand badminton rules and scores. Our tutors are not only qualified but most importantly experienced. We have coaches who are tournament winners themselves who can help guide you on your path to a career in badminton if you choose to do so. If you are a person who is planning to pick up badminton for fun or to get fit, our Superprof coaches are suitable for you as well.
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