By Badminton in the ASEAN region isn’t just a sport; it’s a cultural phenomenon deeply embedded in daily life, history, and national identity. From bustling urban centres to rural villages, badminton courts echo with the sound of shuttles, reflecting a passion that transcends generations. Asian kids are introduced to badminton early as the sport is inexpensive, and you don’t need much to play it. The fact that badminton is embedded in the culture, grassroots programs, and government backing are some of the reasons why badminton has found its home in ASEAN’s households.
A Historical Grip on Dominance
ASEAN’s dominance in badminton can be traced back to the mid-20th century when badminton emerged as one of the top competitive sports in nations like Indonesia and Malaysia. Indonesia’s eight-time All-England champion(1968-76), Rudy Hartono, set the stage for the region’s supremacy. By the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, badminton was recognised as an official Olympic sport, and since then, Asia has won 38 out of the 41 gold medals awarded in the discipline.
Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand were monumental in solidifying Asia’s position early on. Legendary shuttlers like Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia, with his 2004 Olympic gold medal, and Malaysia’s Lee Cong Wei, a three-time Olympic champion, showcased the Asian nation’s commitment to dominating the sport and nurturing world-class talent.
Training Ecosystem: The Backbone of Success
One of the biggest reasons Asian nations dominate sports is the region’s training ecosystem. The region hosts some of the best badminton training facilities in the world, with past Olympic champions as coaches who share useful insights every step of the way. Countries like Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia identify and nurture talent from a young age. For example, Indonesia’s PB Djarum, one of the world’s leading badminton academies, has nurtured stars like Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo and Marcus Fernaldi Gideon, who were the BWF world number 1 ranked duo for two years in a row in 2017 and 2018.
Similarly, Malaysia’s Bukit Jalil Sports School integrates badminton training with academics to make it more appealing for parents and to ensure that kids get their education while honing their skills. Thailand has also invested heavily in its training ecosystem, which is evident by the fact that the youngest-ever badminton world champion, who became champion at the age of 18, hails from Thailand.
Strategic Support From the Government and Sponsorships
The role of government in the dominance of Asian nations cannot be understated. Badminton federations around the region receive grants and funding from the government to scout talent and provide international exposure by allowing the kids to train with world-class athletes or past champions. For example, Prakash Padukone’s badminton academy in India is known for hosting many sessions where young up and coming players tests their skills against seasoned veterans. Moreover, sponsorship from private corporations like Yonex and Li-Ning further boosts resources, ensuring top-notch equipment and training facilities.
For example, the Indian government allocated ₹1.57 crore for the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy to nurture the talent that comes to the academy. Moreover, the government of India runs Khelo India-accredited academies, which get ₹6.28 lakh annually per player. Expenses such as training, equipment, education and coaching are covered under the scheme.
Cultural Reverence and Accessibility
Badminton is more than just a sport in Asian countries; it is a cultural activity. From a young age, Asian kids start playing badminton as a pastime. The lack of equipment required to play badminton is one of the main reasons badminton is so prominent among the young generation in Asia. Badminton is played recreationally in Asian countries, fostering a connection from a young age. Moreover, badminton courts throughout the region make the sport accessible to everyone.
Badminton is part of the curriculum in many regional schools, further increasing its accessibility for kids. For example, in Indonesia, children often start their formal training as young as six years old.
Asian Nation’s Command on Global Ranking
At this point, the question is, which came first, the egg or the chicken? Because the article is about why Asia dominates badminton, that in itself is an answer. The fact that Asia dominates in badminton is one of the biggest reasons why so many kids from the region pursue a badminton career. It’s a closed loop.
Asian children idolise badminton players from their childhood as most of them hail from the same region as the children. This instills a sense of achievement in kids which helps them dominate the sport.
Preserving the Dominance
Asia’s badminton dominance is a testament to the power of passion, determination and perseverance. While other regions like Europe and North America are playing catch-up, the unparalleled infrastructure, cultural passion, and the support of world-class coaches catapult Asia to the top of the sport.
This story of triumph, deeply entwined with identity and collective effort, ensures that Asian countries will remain a beacon of inspiration in the badminton world for years to come.
