Finding My Sport: Badminton

Hanna is an American student studying in Germany as part of the CBYX (Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange) scholarship exchange program.

Everywhere I look, it's infested us: pickleball. 

From the local recreation center converting tennis courts, to social media promoting pickleball wedding content, it seems like America has graced its capitalist hand into promoting an inferior version of ping pong. When I moved to Germany, I thought I escaped the clutches of ball sports with rackets, but I never saw myself willingly replacing one court sport with another.

I expected to pick up common hobbies moving abroad. I'd maybe buy some soccer cleats or jump into a handball tournament. But upon the first day of school, all my expectations were subverted. 

In addition to the stereotypically popular sports, a good portion of my friends were unexpectedly into badminton. I knew of badminton – playing a game or two in fifth-grade P.E. – but I had very little experience with the sport. Being invited to watch a tournament, I reluctantly agreed to spend my Saturday morning checking out the sport.

As I strolled through the crowded gymnasium, students in colorful teal, white, and red uniforms scampered across the floor to discuss game results, and parents chattered with enthusiasm on the stands. 

After sitting down in the bleachers and attempting to watch the matches, my eyes were continuously drawn to the giddy smiles of players cheering with their friends. Watching families parade in with homemade baked goods or tupperware full of pasta salad for the concession stand, I realized that while I was antagonizing pickleball, I never tried to fully immerse myself in the experience of the sport community. 

With this enlightenment, I marched over to the sign-up sheet to begin a new racket sport.

Through late-night Friday practices against 9-year-olds and ferocious games against the adult league, I have found a group of dedicated athletes who continue to inspire me. Although I have not managed to find a pickleball court in Germany, perhaps I have found something better: a sports hall where laughter pervades.