𝗝𝗢𝗦𝗘 𝗣𝗘𝗗𝗥𝗢 𝗡𝗔𝗩𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗘 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗭
𝐒𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝗧𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘃𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿
I was born in a poor family in the east part of El Salvador. I played football as a child but when I was a teenager I came across badminton. It’s been 11 years now. Besides being a coach for the Salvadoran Association, I work in a public high school as an English teacher and sports teacher.
𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗻
In 2010, after finishing the university I decided to study something related to sport. I got into the department sport office (called INDES) and they talked about a badminton training session in the coming days. After watching videos on the internet and reading about this sport I signed up for that session offered by the National Badminton Association of El Salvador. Since then I have continued taking as many courses as possible to enhance my skills.
𝗕𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲
Badminton is not a very common sport in my region. It caught my attention because I could develop this sport in the east part of my country and spot talented youngsters could represent us in future for international competitions.
Badminton has been part of my life since the day I saw it. Every afternoon I get my rackets and practice badminton with my kids.
𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗻
The first athletes I got were boys; for almost two years girls didn’t show interest in this sport. The principal in my school developed a project to build a roof over the badminton courts, which attracted a lot of new players to badminton.
Badminton presents me with a challenge, because we as coaches have to deal with different difficulties such as parent support, economic and social situations, traveling to competitions, training courts, and so on.
𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗵𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲
Our region is a high-risk area because of crime, poverty, and lack of education access and opportunities. Through badminton we encourage kids to be disciplined with their studies and we have taught them to set goals and make an extra effort to get what they want. Several former badminton players have become professionals working in companies.
𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝗵𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲
I have learnt to be a creative coach. I have learnt to listen my athletes and to support them emotionally. I have learnt that sport prepares you for life
