Emelia Ramdhani – Shuttle Time National Coordinator, Guyana Badminton Association
My childhood was basic and conservative. As children we were not exposed to many sporting activities; we climbed trees and played outdoors.
First Experience
My first encounter with badminton was through my late husband Gokarn Ramdhani at his badminton club in 1994. I saw the game and was fascinated with it. He taught me how to play. What struck me most was the competitiveness, strategy and the players’ love for the game.
Relationship With Badminton
My husband’s passion has always been badminton and it slowly became mine as well and so when we had children it became a family affair (the family that plays together, stays together) and continues to be until now, even though he’s not around. Badminton is a big part of our lives, so much so that we can’t imagine anything else for ourselves — playing, administering and promoting the sport in our country.
Memorable Moments
There are many memorable moments, watching my children compete and win, travelling to the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and meeting the athletes. My most memorable moment will always be my introduction to the sport in 1994.
What Badminton Means
For me badminton is a means to continue the legacy left by my late husband and President of the Guyana Badminton Association, promoting and popularising the sport in Guyana. Badminton is a sport that brings people together for physical activity, competition and social interaction. For some, it’s a way to stay fit and healthy, while for others, it’s a passion and a form of self-expression. It can also be a means of relaxation and stress relief, as well as a way to challenge oneself both mentally and physically. Ultimately the meaning of badminton varies depending on one’s experiences, interests and the role sport plays in their lives.
What Makes it Different
Aside from badminton being the fastest racket sport, it requires physical and mental agility. Players must possess stamina to endure long rallies while maintaining tactical awareness. This distinguishes badminton from other sports and games.
Developing Badminton
My experiences vary depending on the area we visit to promote the Shuttle Time programme. Recently we visited Region 2 (Essequibo Ilsands/West Demerara) in Guyana where the community’s exposure is only to one sport which is cricket. The students, teachers and students were so eager to learn a new sport,
something to challenge them and break the monotony of everyday life.
Impact of Shuttle Time
Introducing new sports and physical activities can have a significant impact on individuals and communities, providing opportunities for physical fitness, skill development, teamwork and fun. Shuttle Time is making a difference in the lives of those we’ve encountered and it’s exciting to see such enthusiasm for learning and trying new things while contributing to the overall promotion of health,
wellbeing and active lifestyles in the region.
Lessons from Shuttle Time
Through Shuttle Time I’ve learnt that sport bring people together, it’s a powerful tool for positive social change. It teaches children discipline and hard work on and off the court. It has taught me personal growth in terms of developing the sport in Guyana, but most of all it has taught me the power of teamwork (collaborating with the different entities to making our outreach possible (Badminton Pan Am, Ministry of Sports, Ministry of Education, etc).
