Article by Association President Krishna Balwalli

Orlando Badminton Needs New Home

Badminton is played all over the world and is included as a sport in the Olympics. Badminton is much more than just the backyard game that we grew up with as it combines all the essentials of other racket sports such as Tennis and Racquetball. Badminton is played indoors usually on wood flooring and a court measures 44-20 feet. A world class Badminton match lasts up to an hour where the birdie (shuttlecock) travels at up to 200 mph.

I have been playing Badminton for the last fifteen years. I founded the Orlando Badminton Club four years back in Orlando in order to provide interested people a chance to play their favorite sport. Over the years, Orlando Badminton has grown not only in members but also in terms of facilitating community spirit, sportsmanship, camaraderie and a healthy lifestyle. Our group has grown to around 30 members and is literally from all over the world.

In the recently concluded Sunshine State Games held in Lakeland, I won 3 Gold and 1 silver medal in Badminton. I was interviewed by the Lakeland Ledger and posted in their article at http://www.theledger.com/article/2007706180414
Since my representative city for Sunshine State Games was Lake Mary, I was also interviewed by Lake Mary Life magazine (http://lakemarylifemagazine.com) and will be included in their September issue.

I am currently instructing Badminton as a Recreation Instructor for City of Orlando. Sessions are each Sunday 1:30 - 4:30 pm. Fee is $5 per session. All levels of players are welcome.

More information can be found at:

My contact info: kbalwalli@hotmail.com 407-683-9162
Orlando Badminton Yahoo Group: http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/OrlandoBadminton
Southern Badminton Website: http://sbabadminton.org
USA Badminton Website: http://usabadminton.org