A Meaningful Cultural Day at the 2024 World Junior Badminton Championship
Leon To
Thu Oct 10 2024
The Cultural Day program, held during the rest day between the mixed team championship and the individual tournament starting on October 7, 2024, brought together athletes from different countries to participate in a fun badminton session, followed by an afternoon of experiencing local arts and crafts along with a visit to a historically significant site.
The badminton exhibition, aiming to award teams that could sustain the longest rally, was designed to allow young players from clubs affiliated with Nanxiang and YONEX across China to meet international players. Additionally, there was a prize for the team with the best cheer performance before the matches in the previous championship week. The Cook Islands, known for their unique haka dance performance, clinched the top prize.
"Every player's father composed the chant," said Cook Islands' player Tereapii Akavi. "It's for us and our opponents. The first part calls on our supporters in the Cook Islands, and as it goes on, we tell the other side that we have the strength and power to give our best effort on the court. It helps us play better."
While 226 players and support staff competed on the courts, approximately 320 players - most of them dressed in traditional Han outfits - participated in a puppetry performance and interacted with local artisans. Later, everyone visited the historical Chenghuang Pavilion and Chenghuang Scenic Area.
Sri Lankan player Rashmi Mudalige expressed, "The event was truly fantastic, and I got to know many people, made friends, and had a lot of fun with the children. I never used to talk to anyone before, but today I spoke with many of them."
The Cultural Day at the 2024 World Junior Badminton Championship proved to be a delightful blend of sportsmanship, cultural exchange, and community bonding, showcasing the spirit of camaraderie and friendship that transcends borders in the world of badminton.