Badminton

Badminton is no stranger to us Malaysians
with players like
-Lee Chong Wei
- Wong Mew Choo
- Muhammad Hafiz Hashim
- Khoo Kien Kiat
-Tan Boon Heong

So what was the actually history of badminton?

Badminton was first played in 5th century B.C. in China. Played for centuries by children in Asia, this was a cooperative game in which the players worked together to keep the "bird" in the air for as long as possible. The modern game originated in India as a grownup's version of this very old children's game known as battledore and shuttlecock, the battledore being a paddle and the shuttlecock a small feathered cork, now usually called a "bird." A net was added and the game had become a competitive sport called "poona" by the 1860s, when British Army officers were playing it in India. Some of them brought equipment back to England and introduced the new sport there during the early 1870s. When the game arrived in England players were using rackets, and the shuttlecock was put into play after each point by servants (where the term "to serve" or "service" came from). The game derives its name from its introduction in England in 1873 at a country estate called Badminton. It was played at a lawn party held by Duke of Beaufort at his country place, Badminton, in 1873, and it became known as "the Badminton game" among various guests who introduced it to other friends. Badminton was introduced in America in the 1870s, grew in popularity in the 1920s and 1930s, and became an Olympic medal sport in 1992.

Badminton Court

The court should be a rectangle defined by lines 1/ 2" wide (3.8cm) usually coloured white or yellow. An additional four marks may be made inside each sideline for singles of the right service court, 1 feet 9 inches and 3 feet 3 inches from the back boundry line. The marks shall be within the measurements between 1 feet 9inches to 1feet 10 1/2 inches and between 3 feet1/2 inches to 3 feet 3 inches from the outside of the back boundry line.

Shuttlecock

The shuttle weighs between 4.73 to 5.50 grams and should have 14 to 16 feathers fixed in a cork. The diameter of the cork is in between 2.5cm and 2.8cm.

Racket

The frame of the racket, including the handle, shall not exceed 680mm (26 3/4 inches) in overall length and 230mm (9 1/16 inches) in overall width. The overall length of the head shall not exceed 290mm (11 7/16 inches). The strung surface area shall not exceed 280mm (11 inches) in overall length and 220mm (8 5/8 inches) in overall width. The frame, including the handle, and the strings shall be free of attached objects and protrusions, other than those utilized solely and specifically to limit or prevent wear and tear, or vibration, or to distribute weight, or to secure the handle by cord to the player¡¦s hand, and which are reasonable in size and placement for such purposes; and shall be free of any device which makes it possible for a player to change materially the shape of the racket. The hitting surface of the racket shall be flat and consist of a pat tern of crossed strings connected to a frame and alternatively interlaced or bonded where they cross - and the stringing pattern shall be generally uniform and, in particular, not less dense in the centre than in any other area.

UH Badminton Club Rules:

• You are eligible to be our Badminton's Club member if you are a current University of Houston's Students/Faculty/Staff/Alumni. Need to show your Cougar One Card to enter the facility.
• Pay the membership fee of $10 per semester (students/staff/faculty/alumni). Visitors pay $3 per visit.
• Fill out UH Release Form and Club's Rooster.
• We currently have 40-50 active members, please limit your play. Take turn to play, so others can use the courts. Start and count the game as soon as you are in the court.
• Wear proper attire (shirts, shorts, and shoes). Bring your own badminton rackets and shuttlecocks. We provide the nets.