Paulo Jerome Niniano Quidato, Youth Leader with Northern Marianas Badminton Association, talks about badminton’s influences on his life and the impact of Shuttle Time in the community.
Multi-Sport Childhood
I am currently a 17-year-old senior at Marianas High School. I am Filipino and grew up in a low-income family. I was raised by a single mother along with my two siblings. At a young age, I participated in a variety of sports such as badminton, football, basketball and volleyball.
First Experience
I was first exposed to badminton at the age of seven during a sports summer camp where kids were taught to play badminton. The facility was multipurpose, so there were training sessions about badminton and other sports.
I’ve always been captivated by the speed of the sport. Rallies could vary from a slow, mild pace to a speedy, high-intensity game. I would always think I was the fastest player on court, but watching professionals play was not only an eye-opener but an inspiration.
Relationship With Badminton
Initially, badminton was not my main sport, I decided to pursue a different sport. However, I rediscovered my passion for badminton during a Shuttle Time programme. My passion and interest grew exponentially after that, and I was able to compete in local tournaments, train with the national team, and eventually start a badminton club in my high school. I got addicted to watching professional matches on YouTube.
Memorable Moments
Some people might say the biggest tournament they participated in was the most memorable, but I will always remember my first local competition. As a new player, I didn’t have any expectations for myself, but I soon found myself playing in the finals of my local tournament. Although I was vastly outmatched due to my inexperience, there were people rooting for me. Despite losing that match, I was congratulated and commended by players I’d never met.
What Badminton Means To Me
Badminton has helped me grow as a person. I only started to play because I was invited to a Shuttle Time activity. I had no prior knowledge about badminton before that. It felt like a secondary sport I was forced to play. However, the longer I played badminton, my level of skill and overall mentality matured. Badminton pushed me to work hard and not give up on everything I do. I developed a strong and healthy mindset.
