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Humans of Shuttle Time: Olga Munoz

TEXT BY BWF STAFF

This is the 66th story in our Humans of Shuttle Time series, in which we present the perspectives of those who are involved with badminton at the grassroots level. Olga Munoz, Shuttle Time National Coordinator with Panama Badminton Union, talks of her eventful journey in badminton.

Childhood Days

My childhood was fun and adventurous. As a kid, I was very mischievous – but also kind, quiet and serious at times. I’m the third of four siblings, and my grandparents lived with us and helped babysit. We lived in an area that wasn’t very safe, so we mostly played in the backyard of our apartment. It was big enough for all kinds of games – hide and seek, tag and jacks with my cousin. Of course, I always lost – I was the little one! I was about nine years old.

Munoz (left) during a Shuttle Time activity.

Then we moved to a better neighborhood, and that’s when the real fun began. We were lucky to live in a section with limited car access, and our house was in the middle of a row of townhouses. We were allowed to ride bikes and skate on the road, which often meant torn jeans and scraped knees. We had lots of neighbours who became close friends, and we spent hours playing outside, especially during school breaks.

There were more boys than girls in the neighborhood, so we had to join their softball games. We also had skate competitions. Those were golden days … when walkie-talkies were the coolest thing, and you could message your neighbour like a secret agent!

First Experience of Badminton

This is funny! When I was 18 years old, my parents sent me to Jamaica to learn English. That’s where I met a young boy who introduced me to badminton. That same boy later became my husband; he was a player for Jamaica.

Back then, I didn’t know a word of English, and it was very hard to understand the language or him! But badminton became our way of communicating, with just a racket and a bird … as they used to call the shuttlecock. I used to go to the badminton hall at Constant Spring Golf Club almost every night. It was my way to learn the language and enjoy the game.

First Impressions

The speed of the game amazed me. The shuttle was so fast and the players moved with incredible energy. I especially enjoyed watching doubles and mixed doubles matches. Back then, we used to spend entire weekends watching games. You could truly see and feel the spirit of family and friendship in the air.

Relationship with Badminton

Shuttle Time activity in Panama.

My relationship with badminton grew stronger when my son started playing after trying many other sports. At that time, badminton was not very popular in Panama, but in 2015, both my son and my husband joined UPANBAD. My husband became a volunteer coach for the federation, and my son became one of the players. That is when badminton became part of my life – my son made me fall in love with it. I began volunteering at tournaments, helping with organisation and logistics. It quickly became a family passion and a way to connect with our community. Today, I serve as President of the Federation, Shuttle Time Coordinator and Vice President for Central America. These achievements reflect my personal growth and development over the years. I continue to learn something new every day.

Memorable Events

My most memorable event was attending my first AGM in 2019 – it was an unbelievable experience. It was not only my first time at an AGM but also my first time in Asia and I had no idea what to expect. Everything felt overwhelming at first, but the logistics and coordination were incredibly well managed.

I met people from all over the world, and the information shared during the meeting was extremely helpful. There was so much to absorb that I had to write everything down. That’s when I realised I wasn’t alone – many countries were going through similar experiences at the time.

What Badminton Means

Badminton is more than just a sport. It is about family, passion and community. It brings people together, whether we are playing, cheering or learning. I feel connected when I play, like I am part of something bigger. It is a way to share joy, support each other and grow together.

Badminton taught me that sport is not just about competition. It is about connection. I have seen children find confidence on the court, families bond through shared matches, and volunteers discover purpose in helping others. Every tournament, every training session and every conversation has been a step toward building a more inclusive and united community.

As a leader, I have worked to make badminton accessible to everyone, regardless of age, background or ability. We have created spaces where people feel supported, inspired and welcomed. Through this journey, I have learned that true development isn’t just about growing numbers, it’s about growing people and keeping a heart full of passion for badminton.

Impact of Shuttle Time

Shuttle Time makes a difference in my region by giving children and young people the chance to play and learn through badminton. In many areas, access to sports is limited, but Shuttle Time brings equipment, training and fun activities to schools and communities. It helps kids stay active, build confidence and learn teamwork. It also supports teachers and volunteers with easy tools to teach badminton, even if they are not experts. This programme creates a positive impact by promoting healthy lifestyles and bringing people together.

I have seen how excited kids get when they play for the first time and how they grow more confident with each session. It is amazing to see the smiles and energy Shuttle Time brings to our community.

Lessons from Shuttle Time

The biggest lesson I have learned from Shuttle Time is that sport can bring people together. Badminton isn’t just about playing, it helps kids feel included, confident and happy. I have learned how important it is to make activities fun and safe so everyone feels welcome. I also discovered every child is different, and I need to be flexible and patient to help them learn in their own way. Shuttle Time has shown me how badminton can break barriers whether cultural, social or physical and create opportunities for everyone to participate, regardless of age or ability.

Previous Stories in this Series:

News

Players

Tournaments

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