GAME OF BADMINTON.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 151, 27 May 1938, Page 6

GAME OF BADMINTON.

(To .the Editor.) Sir,—“H.N.Y\*.,” in his reference to indoor games, tries to boost squash and tenikoits at the expense of badminton. As president of the Manawatu Badminton Association, 1 wish to object to the many mis-statements in his letter. It is easily noticeable from his remarks that lie has never played badminton, otherwise he would not make such a sweeping statement “that it is not in the same class as squash, not having the same infinite variety of strokes and tactics, and is apt to become monotonous.” Does “H.N.W.” know that among the experts badminton is considered the third fastest of all games, calling for stamina and physical endurance of a high order, and the only two exceeding it are ice hockey and lacrosse? ’ “H.N-W-” quotps the names of well-known people' he cannot imagine playing badminton. He does not tell you that both Tilden and Perry, the leading professionals in the tennis world, recommend badminton as an adjunct to tennis, and attribute not a little of their success to this form of indoor sport; or that Gerald Patterson, who won the tennis championship at Wimbledon on two occasions, is now the selector for the Victorian Badminton Association and commends this game for budding tennis champions. Personally, 1 have nothing to say against squash, as I consider it a very good exercise for professional memhers of the community, who “ have only a limited time at their disposal,' but when it comes to making comparisons, such as “H.N.W.’s” between the two games, to belittle badminton, then I must protest. In conclusion, may I extend to “H.N.W.” and those whose ideas are liazy about badminton an invitation to witness the interprovincial tournament at . the produce hall this week-end, and they will come away convinced that badminton as played by champions is a more thrilling and vigorous game than they ever imagined.—l am, etc., P. B. DAVIDSON, President, Manawatu Badminton Association. Alan Street, Palmerston North.