Badminton is a modern sport, which has been steadily establishing itself on the local sports scene during these last years. It is particularly popular among children and youths of both sexes.

The following are some salient features about this sport:

Some 140 million players worldwide practice Badminton regularly.

Badminton has attained full Olympic status, having featured prominently in the Games held in Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000) and Athens (2004). It will be equally present, with all its five categories, at the next edition in China (2008).

Badminton is a non-contact sport; hence, the chances of injury are very remote. Regular badminton play promotes physical fitness and health; it also relieves everyday tension and stress.

Badminton need not be practiced for purely competitive reasons. Several people play it merely for fun, while meeting new friends.

The Badminton Association of Malta will shortly be organising a training course for beginners as well as for those players who already have a basic knowledge of the game. Called “Kids & Parents Badminton Fun”, is being held on a weekly basis at the St. Aloysius College sports complex (B’Kara).

Each session is held between 6pm and 7.30 pm.

There are five fully-equipped badminton courts available in the complex. Rackets and shuttlecocks will be provided. Two qualified and experienced coaches, who are specialised in training junior players, are conducting the training course.

This will not focus solely on the competitive aspect of the sport. Rather, it is designed to enable participants to enjoy playing the game, irrespective of their eventual standard of play.