Badminton is one of the most popular racquet sports in the world, with millions of fans in every corner of the globe. It’s a fast-paced game that involves intense physical activity, and can be played both indoors and outdoors. Despite its global popularity, many people don’t know that badminton was actually invented in India.
History of Badminton
The game of badminton has its roots in the ancient Indian game of poona, which was played near the Narmada River in western India. The game was popular among Indian royalty in the 1700s and 1800s, and was even mentioned in the Mahabharata, one of the ancient Hindu epics.
The game of poona was brought to England in the mid-1800s by British soldiers who had served in India. The game quickly gained popularity in England, and in 1873, the Duke of Beaufort hosted the first badminton tournament at his country estate in Gloucestershire.
Spread of Badminton
Badminton quickly spread around the world, and the first badminton club was formed in the United States in 1877. The game was also introduced to China in the late 1800s, and soon became a popular sport in Asia. In 1934, the International Badminton Federation (IBF) was formed and the first world championships were held in England in 1949.
The Rules of Badminton
Badminton is played with a racquet and shuttlecock and the objective of the game is to hit the shuttlecock over the net and into the opponent’s court. The court is divided into two halves and each player gets to serve once, and then the players take turns hitting the shuttlecock. The first player to score 21 points wins the game.
The player who serves must hit the shuttlecock over the net and into the opponent’s court, and the opponent must then hit the shuttlecock back over the net. The shuttlecock must be hit before it touches the ground, and the player who hits the shuttlecock must make sure that it lands in the opponent’s court. The points are awarded whenever the shuttlecock lands in the opponent’s court, regardless of whether the opponent is able to return the shuttlecock.
Conclusion
Badminton is a fun and exciting sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a game that requires skill, agility, and strategy, and it is a great way to stay active and have fun. The game of badminton originated in India and has since spread around the world, becoming one of the most popular racquet sports in the world.