POLOKWANE – Badminton is a fast-paced racquet sport where players use racquets to hit a shuttlecock across a net. The aim is to keep the shuttlecock in play and inside the court lines, without letting it touch the ground.

Dirk de Waal, a seasoned player, explained that social badminton requires no special fitness.

“Your fitness level improves naturally as you gain exposure to the game. Once you start participating in leagues or tournaments, a certain level of fitness becomes essential,” he said.

Players typically wear non-marking court shoes and standard sportswear. Rackets range from entry-level to advanced models, allowing players to upgrade as their skills improve.

While club affiliation is not compulsory, it is highly recommended for coaching, social play, competitive leagues, and opportunities to represent corporates and national or international bodies such as the BWF, ABF, BSA and LBA.

“If you’re not into playing competitively, badminton also offers technical roles such as coach, umpire, referee, or team manager,” De Waal added.

Anyone interested in playing in Polokwane or elsewhere in the province can contact Zara Varghese at 079 216 4170 for more information and practice schedules.

Extra facts:

Badminton is the fastest racquet sport in the world, with shuttlecocks reaching speeds over 400km/h in competition, and even faster in controlled tests.

The sport has a rich history, evolving from ancient games in China and India, and was formalised in England in the 19th century before becoming an Olympic sport in 1992.

It is now the second most popular sport globally by participation, with an estimated 220 million players worldwide.

• The fastest recorded smash in competition was 426km/h, achieved by Danish player Mads Pieler Kolding during a 2017 doubles match.
• In a controlled test, Malaysian player Tan Boon Heong hit a shuttlecock at 493km/h using a Yonex racket, setting a non-competition world record.
• The longest rally in competitive badminton history lasted over four minutes and involved 211 shots between Malaysian and Japanese women’s doubles pairs at the 2023 Malaysia Masters.
• The world’s largest shuttlecock, standing 18 feet tall and weighing 2 500kg, is displayed at the Kansas City Museum and was created by artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje Van Bruggen.
• Only feathers from the left wing of a goose are used in professional shuttlecocks, as they provide consistent flight characteristics due to their uniform curvature.
• Badminton was first introduced as a demonstration sport at the 1972 Munich Olympics and as an exhibition sport in 1988 before gaining full Olympic status in 1992.
• The sport is predominantly played indoors due to the shuttlecock’s sensitivity to wind, although the Badminton World Federation (BWF) is exploring more outdoor events.