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21 Badminton

You have probably been playing this all-time great summertime game on your summer
holidays because it’s great exercise and a lot of fun. Come let’s learn more about it.

History

The original game that badminton comes from was a children’s game played in China
called Ti Jian Zi. This was around 500 AD, so it wasn’t really considered a grown up’s sport.

Back in those days, men were too macho to play pass with a couple of paddles. They were
too busy shooting bow and arrows and swinging swords and hunting of innocent animals.

Gentlemen’s Game

It wasn’t until the 19th century when men were now more interested in things like poetry,

arts, dancing and badminton became their sport of choice. In 1873, the Duke of Beaufort
held a lawn party with lots of people in the Royal Families from all the major European
countries. They all played badminton and for the first time a set of rules were set up, so
that every country played the same way.

Equipment and Rules

Badminton is much like tennis. Players play with a racquet on a court, but the big difference
is that they use a “birdie” or “shuttlecock” (the more technical term).

First built with the feathers of a “birdie” and the shuttle

kind a looks like the tail of a peacock or a rooster. The birdie
is served across court into a designated box and then the
rally continues until someone scores a point. Games are
played up to 15 (11 for women), and full matches are

always played best out of 3 games.

In 1992 badminton became an Olympic event and every
Olympic Games there are 4 Gold medals ready to go to
badminton players: Men and Women’s Singles, Doubles
and Mixed Doubles.

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