Badminton is one of the most popular and widely played racquet sports in the world. It is an indoor game that involves striking a shuttlecock back and forth over a net. Badminton has been around for centuries, but its exact origins remain unknown. So when was badminton invented?
The Origins of Badminton
The origins of badminton can be traced back to ancient Greece. It is believed that the game dates back to at least 2000 BC, when it was played in the form of an outdoor game called “battledore and shuttlecock”. This game involved two players hitting a feathered shuttlecock back and forth over a net.
The game eventually made its way to Asia, where it was adapted and improved. By the 18th century, it had become a popular game in India and was referred to as “poona”. It was during this time that the game began to take on the form of modern badminton.
The Modern Badminton
The modern form of badminton is credited to the British Army. At the time, the British were stationed in India and began to play the game of “poona”. The British eventually brought the game back to England and began to play it in the late 19th century.
The game was formally codified in 1887, when the Bath Badminton Club was founded in England. This marked the official birth of badminton as a sport. The club was the first to set up official rules and regulations for the game.
The International Badminton Federation
The International Badminton Federation (IBF) was founded in 1934. This organization was responsible for overseeing the growth and development of badminton around the world. It was also responsible for organizing international tournaments and setting up international governing bodies.
The IBF played an important role in popularizing the game and it is thanks to them that badminton has become such a popular sport today.
Conclusion
Badminton has been around for centuries, but its exact origins remain unknown. It is believed that the game dates back to at least 2000 BC, when it was played in the form of an outdoor game called “battledore and shuttlecock”.
The modern form of badminton is credited to the British Army, who brought the game back to England in the late 19th century. The game was formally codified in 1887 and the International Badminton Federation was founded in 1934.
Thanks to the IBF, badminton has become one of the most popular racquet sports in the world and its popularity continues to grow today.