Hi!

Thought I'd see if there are any keen badminton fans out there who would be nice enough to help me out with my final year dissertation. I'm in my third year at Durham uni doing a geography degree. I was advised like most students to do a dissertation that I would enjoy, so as a fanatical badminton player I decided to base my dissertation on international badminton and somehow link badminton to geography. The outcome of this decision is that my dissertation is looking at the migrational experiences of international badminton players and coaches.

Most of my research has concentrated on interviewing international players and coaches directly, however I would also like to have the perspective of the badminton supporter/amateur player/coach.

If anyone has any constructive opinions on any of the following issues please reply:

The impact on national identity, national sides, international competition etc. by players moving to play in a foreign country.

The impact on national identity, national sides, international competition etc. by coaches moving to coach in a foreign country.

Cheers
:D

one of the better case studies is Malaysia.

In the 1980s Malaysian badminton was at an all time low because of

lack of public support. There were clamours to improve the situation,

local players had the skills but not the discipline and rigorous training of

Communist countries like China.

China sent Chen Chang Jie to upgrade the pjysical aspects of Msia badminton,

then in the quest even to upstage China hired more China coaches like Han Jian,

Fang Kai Xiang , Yang Yang as trainers and sparring partners.

So there was atransformation in physical element of stylish Msian badminton

to incorporate the more physical aspects of China badminton.

in msia players are spotted for their talent in school, in China people are selected

because of their superior height or physical aspects, then trained to play

badminton 'properly'.

Malaysia is a country that has combined local flair and chinese training, but

somehow the Korean playing style has not infiltrated Msian doubles.

As coaches always say, old habits die hard.

I think youc an interview Park Joo Bong, Frost or Han Jian for further info.

An obvious example is Wales. They have imported ex England players to boost their squad, to some success. Muggeridge/Gallup and Quinn are stronger than any home grown players. In singles they have an indonesian Irwansah palying with them.

SInce badminton is a highly complex sport it maybe more necessary for emerging countires to import coaches and sparring players it is almost impossible to produce good players with no high level competition. Compared with say running, swimming which are basically time trials and which a programme can be easily set for, independant of the level of competition in a country a world class athlete could in theory emerge if they did the right training. In football competition is necessary but players are likely to move to the main leagues in countries with money if they have any talent. In badminton , apart from some players in the Danish or German leagues playing for foreign clubs is relatively rare.

In badminton , although it is an individual sport even at grand prix events players play under a "flag"

The indonesians who played as English for two years have now gone back to Indonesia to compete for them in the olympics, although I doubt anyone considered them "English" players, since they had no english roots or integration in the domestic scene.

I am also interested in looking at a supporters perspective. For example dlp mentioned the two indonesians who played for England, or Jo Mugridge who played for Wales- How do supporters feel when watching 'foreign' athletes playing for their country?

I suspect that many people are interested in watching good badminton and will support their country regardless of where the player originated from originally- but I guess this reaction will vary depending on what part of the world you are from and other factors relating to personal opinions and the individual player in question.

What do you think?

I think it depends on the player. For instance if the player spends time in the country and is known to have family in the country they will be more readily adopted. Or in the case of Robert Blair where they have gone through from prospect to full international they are part of the England set up.

Search for other threads on the topic it has come up before