Badminton is a popular sport played all around the world, but what many people don’t know is that it wasn’t always called badminton. In fact, badminton has a long and interesting history that dates back to the 16th century. The sport has changed and evolved over the years, and in this article, we’ll take a look at what badminton was originally called and how it has changed over time.
Origin of Badminton
The origins of badminton can be traced all the way back to the 16th century in India, where it was known as poona. The game was played with a net and a shuttlecock made of feathers. The game was popularized in England in the mid-1800s, where it was first known as “battledore and shuttlecock”. This name is derived from the two pieces of equipment used to play the game, a battledore (a paddle or racquet) and a shuttlecock.
Badminton as We Know It
By the 1870s, badminton had become a popular game in England, and it was officially recognized as a sport in 1877. At this time, the game was still known as battledore and shuttlecock. However, in 1882, the Duke of Beaufort renamed the game “badminton”, after his estate in Gloucestershire, England.
Badminton Rules and Equipment
The rules of the game have changed over the years, but the basic concept of the game has remained the same. The object of the game is to hit a shuttlecock (also known as a “birdie”) over a net with a racquet. Players must hit the shuttlecock over the net and land it within the opposing team’s court. The team that fails to hit the shuttlecock over the net or fails to land it within the opposing team’s court loses the point.
Modern Badminton
Today, badminton is a popular sport played all around the world. It is one of the most popular racket sports in the world, and it is a popular pastime for many people. Badminton is an Olympic sport, and the International Badminton Federation (IBF) is the governing body of the sport.
Conclusion
Badminton has a long and interesting history that dates back to the 16th century. The game was originally known as poona in India and battledore and shuttlecock in England. In 1882, the Duke of Beaufort renamed the game “badminton”, and since then, the game has grown in popularity and is now a popular Olympic sport. Despite the evolution of the game over the years, the basic concept of the game has remained the same, and badminton continues to be a popular pastime for many people around the world.