Badminton is simply described as a racquet sport played using racquets to hit a shuttlecock across a net. Although it may be played with larger teams, the most common forms of the game are “singles” (with one player per side) and “doubles” (with two players per side).
Gokarn Ramdhani
Locally the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) is the body that governs the sport and more interestingly, in January 2016, according to Badminton World Federation Ranking Guyanese Narayan Ramdhani was placed at 53 in the World Junior Rankings. To date his outstanding achievement includes No. 1 Ranked in the Caribbean and No. 3 Ranked in the Pan American countries.
Therefore, though the sport is not popular here, it has covered some grounds.
Narayan’s father Gokarn Ramdhani is the President of the GBA which is in existence since the 1970s. He has served as President for 15 years. Yesterday Gokarn was on hand to provide Guyana Times Sport with firsthand information of operation within the GBA.
GTS-How long have you been serving as President of the GBA?
GR- In and out I would say about 15 years. I had run the Association for a period of time then someone else took over then I returned to the helm.
GTS-How would you rate the sport during this period with you as President?
GR- I would say that the period speaks for itself. We have done unprecedented things. There is a player that rose to rank number 53 in the world, topping the Caribbean in doing so. That alone should show you how far badminton has progressed. And in the Caribbean last year we won the silver at the Caribbean Championships, which is a good step for us.
GTS- Feed us with information regarding your executive body within the GBA?
GR- We have very hardworking executives, most of them are qualified in their respective jobs but they give their time to badminton when called upon and because of them our Association has been functioning extremely well. All of our work that has to be done they put in their efforts to fulfill their respective aspect and I would like to thank them.
GTS- How many persons make up the executive?
GR- About eight persons make up the executives; From President, Vice-President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer, etc.
GTS- Judging from its existence badminton is limited to Georgetown. Do you plan to decentralize it at any time?
GR- If you would have noticed we did the teachers’ (shuttle) programme recently and that alone would have helped us to carry it out a far way. But decentralizing would be a challenge because of unavailability of a facility to play. For example, “We are here playing at the National Gymnasium and we could only use it two to three times per week. And that’s our training. We have to train the national and club team during that period; in fact the whole of badminton within that period. So we have our top player (Narayan) back home and he cannot go through intense training as the Association would like because of the limited time. However, we want to expand the sport.
GTS-How soon do you plan to expand the sport?
GR-Eventually we will get the sport across the country once there is the right people, in the right place, at the right time. However, the problem has to do with funding in various facets since badminton can be considered to be an expensive sport. The best thing to do at the moment is to get started with the teachers like we did recently, and then break into the school system in order to move forward.
GTS- How did the teachers cope with the shuttle training knowing badminton is not a common sport?
GR-The teachers showed enthusiasm. I should say it wasn’t difficult it was a basic badminton introductory course. It was more like a physical exercise and they adapted because it was something they could do.
GTS- Have the GBA provided the Guyana Olympics Association (GOA) with a four year development programme?
GR- Yes. We have submitted our programme for about five athletes preparing for the 2020 Olympics. It was submitted either last year or a year and a half ago and on the programme they are also trying to assist with funding for Narayan on his scholarship programme in Canada.
GTS- Do the GBA receives direct finance from the BWF?
GR-Unfortunately we are not as lucky as other sport Associations and Federations; we do not receive any grants. But we benefit from other assistance, like if the BWF want to send a coach here or otherwise. Thus everything that we do we depend on our friends of badminton and whatever sponsorship we could acquire.
GTS-What is next for the GBA?
GR-There is the Pan American Championships where Priyanna Ramdhani will be representing Guyana. She has medalled four times at that event and is our only chance at the tournament. We will also try to send other players depending on their progression. Subsequently we will be sending our national team to the Caribbean Championships in Trinidad in August.
