Everyone has picked up a badminton racket. That seems like a broad, sweeping statement but when you consider that every single primary school, secondary school and sports hall I’ve ever been in has a badminton court painted on the floor that makes for very high participation levels.
After ‘the beautiful game’ badminton is the most played sport in the world. I know a lot of people will be very surprised by that, however the Asian viewing figures for badminton at the Olympics offer a clue and even here, if you think about it, it is a sport you can play irrespective of whether you are a four year old picking up a racket for the first time or if you are fresh from dropping the grandkids off at school.
Weather isn’t a factor as it’s mostly played indoors, although I’ve seen some amazing outdoor courts in Asia. Clearly they don’t have to contend with the same gale-force winds as Glasgow. All this before I’ve even touched on how good a workout it is. It certainly beats the monotony of a treadmill. But enough of my shameless promotion of badminton.
Only yesterday I learned of a woman who epitomises what it is to have a lifelong love affair with the sport. Mary Pollock of Riddrie began playing badminton as a young girl and persisted despite the men at the YMCA being disgruntled about there being too many women at the club.
Even when she was relocated to the highlands to work in the Women’s Land Army during the Second World War her love of the sport continued. Post-war she returned to Glasgow and continued playing into her retirement.
Having stopped playing but still keen to get her fix, in 2009 she arrived to spectate and show support at the Scottish Open, held then at the Kelvinhall. This incredible persistence to be involved with and support badminton has continued every year since. And I’m sure Mary wouldn’t mind me saying that this is made all the more impressive as she has now entered into her ninety-ninth year.
Without the enthusiastic kids causing havoc at the carnivals, the organisers behind the scenes or indeed the unwavering and relentless support of the fans that come to watch the Scottish Open and indeed badminton, would not be the tight-knit but ever expanding community that I know it to be.
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