Eyethu Badminton Development launched the World Badminton Federation’s new sport, air badminton, at the Duduza Stadium Tennis Court last Saturday.
Young residents from all over Duduza showed up in anticipation to learn how to use a badminton racket.
“The aim of the programme is to introduce young people to air badminton.
“We want to raise awareness and teach children how to play the sport,” explained director of Eyethu Sam ‘Ta Roller’ Mongala.
Badminton is a sport played using rackets to hit a shuttlecock across a net.
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Points are scored by striking the shuttlecock with the racket and landing it within the opposing side’s half of the court.
The course provided attendees with opportunities to experience and play the sport.
“We want to grow the sport and put a badminton racket in as many hands as possible,” added Mongala.
Coach Bongani Simelane emphasised the need to understand the equipment before attempting to play the game.
With rackets in hand, he demonstrated the three main holds.
“How you hold the racket affects how you will hit the shuttlecock.
“The default grip is not firm but loose,” he said.
Simelane also encouraged the group to track the shuttlecock while it is in the air.
“With your legs you lunge in the direction optimum to hit the shuttlecock back across the net,” he said.
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Mongala said the day’s events were a success.
Athletes from Eyethu Badminton Development were on site to demonstrate techniques as the coaches educated new players.
Some of the newbies quickly got a hang of the racket and aimed for the shuttlecock.
Eyethu Badminton Development hopes to make the sport more attractive to the youngest athletes
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