Once popular sport is on the rise again

BADMINTON is on a slow resurgence in the region as interest in the sport grows once again.

The sport which once boasted a seven-league championship in the city, is much smaller today.

Despite not being as big and illustrious as it once was, East London still boasts some impressive national success stories.

Chief among these successes is exSelbornian Jacob Maliekal, who is currently the South African number one badminton player and multiple singles reigning All African champion.

He won the 2015 International Championship in Hamilton, New Zealand and is battling it out to get selected for the Rio Olympics.

His success inspires young badminton hopefuls around the country.

Other notables include Cameron Coetzer who is representing SA in the on-going tournament in Mauritius. He was also selected as a reserve in the SA team heading to China.

“Jason Coetzer has been selected to represent the South African junior team, and Meryl Fourie and Karen Coetzer have distinguished themselves as two of the most successful players selected in the South African senior team,” said Border Badminton development officer George Daniel.

“There are also quite a few youngsters doing very well at provincial level.”

There are currently four clubs in East London: Nahoon, Buffs, Lotus and Aces, along with a team from Correctional Services, who play badminton regularly.

Badminton in Nutting Hall was started in 1995 and hosts two schools, Stirling High and Hudson Park High whouse the Nutting Hall facilities for badminton as a school sport.

Spreading the game, particularly to disadvantaged areas, is the biggest problem according to Daniel

“Lucrative sponsorship, financial rewards and media exposure have brought about a different dimension to sport and games in general, but sadly, not much has come the way of badminton.”

Despite this East London will continue to try to re-ignite the sport in the region.

Border Badminton chairperson Jenny Pursey runs a special coaching programme and can be contacted on 083 275 6663.