It was a day of bonding and introduction to local history and culture for participants of the World Junior Championships 2024 in Nanchang.
The Cultural Day programme, held on the rest day between the Mixed Team Championships and the individual tournament that begins tomorrow, saw participants from different countries mixing together for a fun badminton session, followed by an afternoon of experiencing local art and craft, and a visit to a site of historical significance.
The badminton session, which offered prizes to teams which would keep up the longest rally, was designed to get young players from Nanchang and YONEX-affiliated clubs all over China to meet international players.
There was also a prize for the team which presented the best pre-match cheer during the championships last week. Cook Islands, which presented its unique haka, won the top prize.
“A player’s dad composed the chant,” said Cook Islands player Tereapii Akavi. “It is meant for us and our opponents. The first part is calling out to our supporters in Cook Islands, and as we go on, we’re telling the other side that we have strength and power to do our best on court. It does help us play better.”
The England team in traditional Hanfu attire
While 226 players and support staff participated in the on-court session, some 320 players, most of them in traditional Hanfu attire, attended a puppetry show and interacted with local practitioners of art and craft. Later all of them visited the historic Tengwang Pavilion and the Tengwangge Scenic Area.
“It was really great and I got to know a lot of people and I got to make friends and it was fun with the little kids also,” said Sri Lankan player Rashmi Mudalige. “I’d never to anyone before, but today I got to speak to a lot of them.”
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