Scaled down badminton showcased<\/p>\n
Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The two schoolchildren, both aged 10, were the center of
\nattention at Amongrogo sports hall.<\/p>\n
As they darted around a reduced dimension court, including a
\nlower net and child-friendly rackets, they were cheered on by
\nspectators who had shown up early for the final of the National
\nMixed Team Championship.<\/p>\n
They hit some accurate strokes, no doubt helped by the lighter
\nshuttlecock, in the version its inventor Ivana Lie calls
\n\"Badmini\".<\/p>\n
Kenas Adi Ardianto from Djarum Kudus badminton club won the
\nfirst game 11-4 over Putra Eka Roman from Jaya Raya Jakarta. The
\nsecond game was not completed as the championship final was due
\nto begin.<\/p>\n
When asked about their preference of courts, the youngsters
\nconcurred that they would still choose the regular one over its
\nmini version.<\/p>\n
\"On normal courts, I have more room to run. I also like the
\nadult-size rackets,\" Putra said.<\/p>\n
It was not the answer sought by Ivana, a top singles player of
\nthe 1980s who looks forward to popularizing the modified version
\nfor under 12s nationwide -- in the hope of finding a new talent
\n-- before taking it international.<\/p>\n
She said she understood the children's initial indifference.<\/p>\n
\"They have yet to adapt themselves to the new play. Thay had
\nonly two days of trials before the exhibition,\" she told The
\nJakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Saturday was the first public showcase of the game, although
\nIvana has tested it among students at her badminton school in
\nBandung. She plans a tour of 10 cities nationwide to introduce
\nthe game to the public, and a national tournament is expected to
\nbe held at the end of this year.<\/p>\n
A worldwide campaign beginning in 2006 is also in the works.<\/p>\n
\"We are expecting support from the International Badminton
\nFederation for a tour in five continents next year,\" Ivana said
\nduring her presentation at the national meeting of the Badminton
\nAssociation of Indonesia (PBSI).<\/p>\n
Representatives from 24 of 30 provincial chapters attended the
\none-day meeting at Sahid Raya Hotel.<\/p>\n
\"We need support from PBSI and its provincial chapters in
\ndisseminating information about Badmini. I'm sure it can be an
\nideal way to developing badminton in the early stages with a view
\nto regaining our international supremacy in badminton,\" she said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/scaled-down-badminton-showcased-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}