Youth in Focus…Bronze Medal in Peru was my proudest moment

Dec 08, 2013 Sports

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– Says Badminton player Narayan Ramdhani

By Sean Devers
He began playing the game as a four-year-old and now, 11years later the gifted15-year-old Guyanese Narayan Ramdhani is the number two ranked Badminton player in the Caribbean in the under-17 division.

His recent Bronze Medal performance in the South American Youth Championships in Peru, playing in the under-19 division, where he was the youngest player in the tournament, is described as his proudest moment, narrowly being beating into second place after winning the Nationals Open title earlier this year.
Narayan was born to Gokarn and Emily Ramdhani in Georgetown on June 3, 1998 and lived all of his life in East Bank Demerara Village of Peter’s Hall. It is of little surprise that the Marian Academy Fourth Form student eats, sleeps and breathes Badminton.
His father, Gokarn Ramdhani, is a former National Badminton player and now National Coach and President of the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA).   They along with 11-year-old sister Priyanna have ‘Badminton blood’ running through their veins.  The pair dominated the last National Sports Commission (NSC) Age Group Badminton tournament. Priyanna is two times junior sportswoman and medaled at the PANAM games for the ladies in addition to winning her age group at the Caribbean games for the last five years.
Priyanna, who is also the reigning national women’s champion, copped the Under-13, U-15 and U-17 Girls singles title. Her brother, the national junior and senior champion, won the Boys Under-17, U-19 and U-21 titles.
“I became interested in Badminton by watching my father play and from being around the badminton courts from the time I was born,” Narayan revealed.
Their mother was also a competent Badminton Player for the Yonnex Badminton club and while admitting their ability has something to do with their genes Narayan explains that the siblings work hard on their game to stay on top.
“We are naturally talented players but also work hard on our game to stay on top. Practice and training is done three times a week for three hours each day.  For tournaments we practice five days per week,” Narayan disclosed.
Although the Ramdhanis are proud of their off-springs achievements in sports they understand the value of a sound Academic foundation and ensure that Badminton does not interfere with school work.
“Badminton does not affect our school work as we have a study schedule on the days we do not practice” Narayan pointed out.
Narayan said his toughest challenge would have been in Peru where he had to acclimatize to the cold weather and compete against very competitive opponents, who were much older than him.
Although still very young in his trade, the teenager has already represented his country in Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Barbados, Canada, Jamaica and Peru.

Asked if it was easier having his dad as his coach or if that put extra pressure on him, Narayan answered, “No it’s not easier having my father as my coach.  He is a perfectionist and a high level of discipline is always expected.”
Narayan’s favorite subjects are Physical Education and History and the youngster is working towards a career in Sports Education or Engineering.
He says it’s a bit difficult making a career of Badminton in Guyana due to the school system of having extra classes and lessons and also because of the unavailability of the Halls to practice at his convenience.
“The facilities in Guyana are not up to standard for professional Badminton. At International competitions we play on synthetic and rubberized courts,” lamented Narayan, whose hobbies are playing basketball and cricket, sports disciplines in which he represents his school team.
His favorite food is lasagna and roti and curry and the persons that inspire him the most are his father and Lin Dan, a top-ranked International Badminton player.
“The standard of Badminton in the Caribbean is very high. I am ranked in the top two in my age category” Narayan disclosed.
He says his parents, Mr. Pritipaul Singh and my Badminton colleagues are among the people that have helped him the most in his Badminton career adding if he was not a badminton player he would have been a Basketball player.
“My advice to persons my age is to get involved in a sport as Sports gives you a strong mind and a healthy body. Education is important too because it can help you to get a scholarship for your future and pave the way for the success you desire in life,” the level-headed youth stressed.
His father disclosed that Narayan is presently in the process of working towards a Badminton scholarship as in his view that’s the only way forward for him to be a World Champion.
Narayan won the first tournament he ever entered, the GBA age-group competition in the under-10 division. He was just seven at that time and a promising career beckoned. He has gone a long way in ensuring he is right on track.

 

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