In a bid to decentralize the sport of badminton and foster its growth, the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) has extended its program to schools on the Essequibo Coast.
The initiative, aimed at introducing badminton to new regions, targeted Aurora and Abram Zuil Secondary Schools, as well as Anna Regina Multilateral School.
President of the Guyana Badminton Association, Emily Ramdhani, expressed the association’s commitment to expanding the sport beyond its traditional strongholds.
Drawing inspiration from the development witnessed in Berbice since the launch of the badminton program there in 2019, Ramdhani emphasized the association’s dedication to fostering similar growth in Essequibo.
The GBA’s foray into Essequibo was facilitated by the donation of equipment through the Shuttle Time initiative, a global project by the World Badminton Federation aimed at promoting the sport through mass participation in schools.
Ramdhani highlighted the significance of this program, which operates in 140 countries worldwide, in nurturing talent and popularizing badminton among youth.
Expressing gratitude to various stakeholders for their support, including Saeed Zameen, Nicholas Fraser of Allied Arts, and the principals and physical education teachers of the targeted schools, the GBA emphasized the collaborative effort required to advance the sport’s reach.
Looking ahead, Ramdhani revealed the association’s intention to revisit Linden to assess the progress of the badminton program there, reflecting their ongoing commitment to fostering the sport’s growth nationwide.
The expansion of badminton to Essequibo Coast schools signifies a strategic move by the Guyana Badminton Association to diversify and broaden the sport’s footprint, offering more young athletes the opportunity to engage in this dynamic and competitive game.
By Travis Seymour