Badminton has been a popular sport for centuries. It is enjoyed by people of all ages and is played around the world. But what is the origin of the name? Who gave it its name and why?
The Origins of Badminton
Badminton is believed to have originated in India. It was known as Poona and was played in the 18th century. The game spread to England in the 19th century where it was known as ‘poona’ or ‘poonah’. It is believed that the British Army officers who were stationed in India brought the game back to England.
The Name Badminton
The name ‘Badminton’ was given to the sport by the Duke of Beaufort in Gloucestershire, England in 1873. The Duke had a country estate called ‘Badminton House’ and the name was given to the sport after the house. The Duke was a keen sportsman and he was believed to have been the first to set up a badminton court at his home.
The Game Evolves
In the early days of badminton, it was played with a shuttlecock and two racquets. The shuttlecock was made from a goose feather and the racquets were similar to those used in tennis. The game was played on a court that was marked out with nets.
The rules of the game have evolved over the years. In 1934, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) was formed and they set the official rules of the game. These rules included the size of the court, the height of the net, the size of the shuttlecock and the size of the racquets.
The Modern Game
Today, badminton is a popular sport around the world. It is played in many countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, India, China, and Japan. The game is played on a rectangular court that is divided in the middle by a net. The game is played with a shuttlecock and two racquets.
The aim of the game is to hit the shuttlecock over the net and land it on the other side of the court. The shuttlecock must not land on the court and must be returned by the opponent in one hit. The player who is unable to return the shuttlecock within the rules loses the game.
Conclusion
Badminton is a popular sport that is enjoyed by people of all ages around the world. It is believed to have originated in India before being brought to England by the British Army officers. The name was given to the sport by the Duke of Beaufort in 1873, who named it after his estate. The rules of the game have evolved over the years and the modern game is enjoyed by millions of people.