In furtherance of a number of its programmes, the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) on Friday introduced the concept of ‘Air Badminton’ to the University of Guyana.
Gokarn Ramdhani making the presentation to UG Vice Chancellor Paloma Mohamed 95
The small event was conducted by members and players of the GBA on the University of Guyana tarmac, which is ideally suited for this format of the game.
‘Air badminton’ is a fairly new outdoor version of the game, having a modified shuttlecock that allows manoeuverability in the outdoors and wind.
Guyana’s top male and female players Priyanna and Narayan Ramdhani conducted the introductory session, and while explaining the nature of the game, GBA President Gokarn Ramdhani expressed hope that the sport would grow at this institution.
“This is just an introduction to badminton,” he said. “Air Badminton is the easiest
game. it’s fun and it’s played on the sand, by the beach, on the lawns, or even on a tarmac,” he explained.
GBA President Gokarn Ramdhani 83
“And in turn I hope the sports coordinator or whoever is coordinating can have them playing on the fields and stuff like that.”
In sharing more about this version of the sport, the GBA President revealed some of the Badminton World Federation’s (BWF’s) intentions for the sport.
“…so that is what World Badminton is working on now, and they plan to even go into tournaments for it. So, there’s going to be like beach tournaments and stuff like that; so that is what the project is all about,” he explained.
Aside from the introductory lesson, the GBA presented the University with a number of racquets and shuttlecocks for use of its students.
Vice Chancellor Paloma Mohamed expressed gratitude on the University’s behalf.
“We’re delighted to have Mr. Ramdhani, but also his children and his wife here, and also Dr. Perreira, who is a badminton player. So, thank you very, very, much,” Vice Chancellor Mohamed said.
UG’s Paloma Mohamed, Dr. Anna Perreira and Gomathinayagam Subramanian get in the game!
Also in attendance alongside some University students was Dr. Anna Perreira of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, and Berbice Campus Director Gomathinayagam Subramanian. They were locked in.
The GBA, in a drive to popularise badminton in Guyana, is conducting a number of projects, which started last year when ‘Air Badminton’ was launched in December 2020 at the National Park & St. Roses High School. That has been followed by Shuttle Time Programme earlier this month, which was delivered to several schools in Berbice and Linden; namely, the New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School, Berbice High School, Mackenzie High School, and Christianburg Wismar Secondary School.
Narayan Ramdhani conducting the introductory lesson
According to BWF, “Air Badminton is an ambitious new development project in partnership with HSBC, BWF’s Global Development Partner, designed to create opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to play badminton on hard, grass and sand surfaces in parks, gardens, streets, playgrounds and beaches around the world.
The project has been five years in the making, starting with a vision to develop a new outdoor shuttlecock with increased durability, stability and wind resistance, to allow people to have a more positive experience of badminton outdoors.
Strategically, Air Badminton would allow to fulfil our overall objective of putting a badminton racquet in the hands of as many people as possible.
“Given that most people’s first experience with badminton comes in an outdoor environment, we are now making it easier for everyone to access the sport through a new outdoor game and new shuttlecock, the Air Shuttle.
“In the future, we see Air Badminton as an exciting, new, energetic version of the sport. Overall, the aim is to inspire more people to play more badminton in more places.”
