Badminton was invented long ago; badminton originated from a game played in China in 500 BC. “Ti Jian Zi”, as it was called then was played with the feet and a shuttlecock.

Five centuries later a game called battledore (the old racquets) and shuttlecock became very popular in China, Japan, India and Greece. In the 16th century the European nobility adopted as a past time the “jeu de Volant (French) for “wheel game”, as opposed to the jeu de paume (palm game), which gave birth to tennis and consisted of a small ball hit with the palm of the hand. But it was the Poona, and Indian game brought to England in the 19th century.

A little-known fact about badminton is that it demands high fitness levels from its players in addition to agility, speed and accuracy.

A badminton shuttle has known to clock in excess of 180 mph (289.7 km/hour). It shall have 16 feathers fixed in a cork base covered in kid leather. Interestingly, the best badminton shuttlecocks are made from feathers from the left wing of a goose.

Badminton players need to possess quick response and agility. With badminton matches lasting even up to a couple of hours, it is little wonder that badminton players need to have rigorous training to build up stamina and concentration. In addition, quick reflexes and rapid hand-eye coordination are a prerequisite for any aspiring badminton player. Badminton, unlike most other racquet sports does not use a ball but a shuttlecock that cannot touch the ground during a rally.

Look at these amazing statistics comparing a badminton match with a tennis match. Badminton provides a vigorous cardiovascular workout for the player. In fact, the Department of Physical Education at Baylor University, Texas, United States describes it as ‘one of the finest conditioning game activities available’. A statistical comparison reveals the following:

It is not an expensive sport. It is a sport that people from very young to senior citizens can enjoy!