I was an active child, and as I grew older I participated in many sports. I was a national champion in football with my school team. I was also into basketball and with the Boys Scouts.
I always liked racket sports as I played tennis in college. The first time I watched badminton was on TV when the Olympic Games were on. It struck me that anyone of any age could play it. Iโm a physical education teacher, and badminton seemed to me a valuable sport to work at school level.
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I participated in a Shuttle Time programme. I acquired the kit and started teaching badminton in my PE classes. I then worked as a promoter in the province of Heredia conducting training classes in schools and colleges.
I organised several badminton festivals and tournaments in colleges and schools. They were quite popular, with each event attracting over 60 participants. After the pandemic, at least six schools continue to practice badminton.
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The festivals in the province of Heredia where I worked with different PE teachers with the help of the Badminton Association of Costa Rica were most memorable. We achieved quite a lot in terms of promotion of the sport and inculcating a taste for badminton in the participants, and the response made us realise that this is an inclusive sport since it is very easy to practice and adapts very well to anyone regardless of their physical capacity.
Anyone of any age can play it. Also, in the way I was taught, teaching can be done very creatively. Everyone ends up liking it because in a short time they can play it. Itโs very motivating to teach a sport that people in the community enjoy.
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Before Shuttle Time many schools did not know badminton. Thanks to this course and with the help of the Association over 10 schools and colleges now practice this sport.
Also, the format of the course and the combination of the theoretical and practical part makes it attractive
