BYE, BYE BIRDIE ( Hello, Badminton )

       Today I played my first game of badminton since I was about 10.  And I'm already looking forward to next time.

       Some of the office staff at my school have a regular Sunday morning game over at a local indoor facility. I've been fishing for an invite, and it finally came this week. My room mate, who has played with them at "the stadium" before, gave me fair warning about the setting: "You can't breathe. It's a corrugated tin building with no AC or even ventilation. It's just lights and body heat, and that sun beating on the roof. The place is like a sauna. I came out cooked!"

       Well, maybe a tad of an exaggeration. The conditions are not perfect, but they're okay. I must admit, though, that I only lasted for about an hour and a half. My friends said they often play for three hours!

       The thing is, this is such a great game for many reasons. It has all the essential fun and aerobic benefit of tennis, but the relative lightness and slower movement of the shuttlecock (or birdie) make it much easier to play. Arms and legs take less of a beating. Strength is even less of an issue than in tennis. There is more play time and less chasing, since the birdie does not bounce and roll. Like tennis, there is a"net game," with similar strategy. Service and backhand are still important. Essentially, this is an athletic sport that even a non-jock can play.

     Indonesia loves badminton. The national team has taken home gold in the Olympics since the sport was introduced as part of the games in 1992. There are international opens sponsored by Djarum and other private companies periodically; one is happening now in Surabaya. 

    I have two friends who live in Bangkok, and they have taken up badminton with great enthusiasm. They play weekly and have begun taking lessons with a Thai champion. 

     For my own part, I wonder why this sport isn't more popular in the U.S. Or maybe it is, but not in the northeast. Too bad. It makes a wonderful backyard or park game, and can be set up for relatively small money. League play at school yards would make a terrific summer pastime. Children can learn fairly young and with hardly any fear of injury. I hope it catches on.

    In the meantime, I'll be back at "the stadium" next week. I'm hoping to last for two hours. 

Warm-up before doubles