History of the Game

• Invented in India in a version called poona.
• British army officers learned the game about 1870.
• In 1873 the duke of Beaufort introduced the sport at his country estate, Badminton, from which the game derives its name.
• In 1887 the Bath Badminton Club was formed; it was replaced in 1893 by the Badminton Association of England, which codified the rules that still govern competitive play.
• Military personnel introduce badminton to Vancouver in the late 1890’s.
• Badminton Canada was founded in 1921, with the first national championships being held in Montreal.
• Canada is one of nine founding members of the International Badminton Federation in 1934.
• Badminton is included in the 1972 Munich Olympics as a demonstration sport.
• Jamie Paulson of Calgary wins gold medal in men’s singles at 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland.
• In 1992, six Canadians contest badminton as a full medal sport at Barcelona Olympics.