Badminton originated thousands of years ago in India, before many of the other sports were commercialized. It is believed to have evolved from a children's game known as battledore and shuttlecock, the battledore being a paddle and the shuttlecock a small-feathered cork, now called a "bird" or "birdie." The objective was simply to keep the bird in the air for as long as possible. Eventually a net was added and the game beca

The ABA was renamed the U.S. Badminton Association, USBA, in 1978 and in 1989 it became a full-fledged member of the U.S. Olympic Committee. In 1999 the USBA became USA Badminton and now contains about 2,700 members, myself included.

The competitive nature of badminton is demonstrated by the determination of the player to do such feats as hitting birdies clocked up to 200 miles an hour at the most advanced levels. Not something you would see in just any backyard. Badminton requires intensive training and conditioning, and in the most competitive countries children are often started as early as 4-5 years old. In America, the game is not regarded as a respected sport, but despite this fact, children with the desire and ability to play can begin at any age. As a coach as well as a player I can attest to the challenge the sport yields.

Badminton was on its way, it had become a full out competitive sport requiring speed,

Some common words found in the essay are:
, USA Badminton, Duke Beaufort, Association ABA, War II, Club Boston, Badminton Club, Badminton Federation, Association England, York BCNY, badminton club, badminton association, competitive sport, backyard sport, club badminton, competitive badminton,
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