Sport Article
From September 5th to 8th I was up in a part of Canada I thought I would never visit, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Along with 9 other athletes representing America, I competed in the 2007 Canadian Open. While up there I saw a sign in the gym which said “Sport: it’s more than just a game”. It really got me thinking about all the ways badminton is more than just a “game” or even a “sport” or “activity”. I believe that badminton, like many things in my youth, has shaped me into the person I am today. The lessons I’ve learned, the way I handle situations, and all the hard work I put into my future is identical on court and off the court.
The lessons I have learned on court over the years are many, and even though they are often hard at the time, I truly believe they make a person stronger. “Never let a bird drop.” Every coach I have worked with believes in this theory. A badminton athlete must always go for the bird, always try, even if your racket just touches it. Determination, never giving up, and always trying just a little bit harder- these principles are exactly the same whether your goal is in sports, work, school, or life in general. “Be on time.” If you are late to practice does your coach make you run extra laps? (If not they should!) Being on time and coming prepared are skills you will need your whole life long. In the future when you interview for a job, for schools, or to volunteer you should never be late, underdressed, or under prepared. “It takes hard work, not just skill.” I have yet to be the smartest, most talented kid on the court or in the classroom. But my teachers, bosses, and coaches have all told me I am an incredibly hard working person. Skill, luck, and smarts can only take you so far. Hard work is what will get you where you want to go. Hard work will show people how much you care about what you are doing. And at the end of the day, you should always be able to feel content knowing you put in your best.
There is a reason yellow, red, and black cards exist in badminton. It is because like in life, not all behavior is tolerated. You will get a yellow card for yelling at a referee and you will get detention for yelling at your teacher. Many top players agree that the way you handle yourself on the court is the same way you handle yourself in real life. Players who throw their rackets around and break them when they get angry, often have a tendency to have a bad temper off the court. Players who do not over react to bad line calls on court are probably more patient with unfairness in real life. When you are on the court playing, you are always representing someone. Perhaps you are representing USA internationally, or your club at a local tournament, or if nothing else then you are just plain representing yourself. Athletes must realize that they have the power to set a good example and that someone is usually watching. Athletes who respect their coaches tend to get more respect back, and the same goes towards bosses, teachers, parents, and friends.
The week after Canadian Open I spent five days traveling around Saskatchewan with three Canadians to promote badminton to youth in many different schools and communities. Badminton for many of them is a way to improve their future and work towards something important. In some of the communities we visited, the population was very small. This often meant there was a high rate of alcohol abuse, drug use, and teen pregnancy. For many of those children, playing badminton is more than just a sport or a game. Badminton becomes a way to get away from potential problems that could throw the rest of their lives off track. In addition to learning life lessons, learning how to handle different situations, playing badminton prepares you for your future. Learning how to create goals and set the steps you need to achieve them is a valuable tool that can be used the rest of your life. Learning how to handle disappointment and heartbreak on the court will help when it happens off the court. Badminton is more than a game, and yet it is not everything in life. Badminton is a tool to help teach important lessons and skills and it is a great way to enjoy the process.
