WHEN the long-serving GBA President, Gokarn Ramdani, passed away on October 8, 2021 at age 55, the badminton fraternity was plunged in mourning, prompting questions about the survival of the sport locally.

Gokarn was the backbone of the Association as Administrator and Coach in addition being the father of Guyana’s top two players, Narayan & Priyanna.
However, those questions were answered emphatically at the GBA’s Annual General Meeting last February when Emily Ramdhani was voted to the GBA’s top position.
This was followed up a month later, when the Guyana Olympic Association held its elections; she was elected to serve on the GOA’s Executive Committee as Assistant Secretary.
Emily is only the second female GBA President, joining Ismay Holder who was the founding President in the late 1970s when Guyana’s Badminton rose to prominence.
In those days, Sean Barnwell and Koren Thomas dominated the Caribbean level.
Since Emily ascended to the Presidency to replace her late husband, the GBA has made significant strides in promoting and developing Badminton in Guyana.
Narayan & Priyanna – coached by the late Gokarn, who was given a National Sports Award posthumously at the last Sports Conference – continue to keep Guyana’s flag flying high.
“The dedication to honour our late President by the National Sports Commission showcases a strong commitment to preserving the legacy of those who have contributed to sports in Guyana” stated Emily.

International Competition

Narayan & Priyanna Ramdhani qualified for the CAC Games in El Salvador in June-July 2023 and reached the quarter finals in mixed doubles.
However, as fortune would have it, Narayan tore his ACL and had to retire from the game. Priyanna also qualified for the PanAm Games in October, 2023 where she was the flag bearer for Guyana.

Akili Haynes and Priyanna competed in the PanAm Individual Championship in April 2023 and also participated in the camp which was held just after the tournament in Kingston, Jamaica.
In August 2023 the GBA took a Junior Team to Carebaco and Gianna Ramnarine won a bronze medal in the Girls U-15.

Priyanna and Akili competed in the Trinidad & Tobago International where they won three silver medals in the Mixed Doubles and Women Doubles category.
Narayan Ramdhani was awarded the Alberta Collegiate Athletic Conference (Provincials) ACAC All Conference Award and the ACAC Men’s Singles Player of the Year Award.
At the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (Nationals) CCAA he was awarded the Men’s Badminton Player of the Year.

In addition, Ramdhani was one of three players who was named 2023 CCAA Men’s Badminton All-Canadians.

The recognition and awards received by Narayan Ramdhani at the ACAC and CCAA events highlight the high standard of badminton players emerging from Guyana.
“The GBA’s participation in various local and international tournaments, as well as the success of individual players like Narayan Ramdhani, Akili Haynes, Priyanna Ramdhani and Gianna Ramnarine, among others, reflect the association’s commitment to fostering talent and achieving excellence on the international stage.
The GBA is extremely pleased with the three silver medals won at the T&T International and also the medal at Junior Carebaco” the President continued proudly.

Badminton integration in schools

“We met with the Honourable Minister of Education to discuss how to integrate sports in the school’s curriculum and to facilitate a second workshop for the Physical Education Teachers on our Shuttle time Programme which will be done sometime in 2024.
This initiative is commendable as it not only contributes to the development of badminton but also promotes a healthy and active lifestyle among the youths of Guyana.
The GBA thinks this is a significant responsibility and provides an opportunity to contribute to the development and promotion of sports in Guyana.
We promoted and donated Badminton Kits (consisting of racquets, shuttles and nets) through the Shuttle time and Air-badminton (outdoor with a heavier shuttle) Programmes to four schools in Region 5” disclosed Emily.

Domestic Participation

During the last year, the GBA ran off four local tournaments, GUMDAC Open Doubles and U-19 Singles which have been a regular feature of the GBA for the past nine years,
World Badminton Day A, B, & C Division Tournament, The National Junior (Age Group) Tournament and the Gokarn Ramdhani Memorial Tournament.
In addition, the GBA’s involvement in two exhibitions for Olympic Day Celebrations and the GCC Day of Sports further demonstrates the association’s dedication to community engagement and promotion of the sport.

Two badminton camps were held, one in July 2023 conducted by National Players Akili Haynes and Priyanna Ramdhani and a mini-Christmas badminton camp in December conducted by Narayan Ramdhani.

“It’s encouraging to see the participation in tournaments from badminton players of Berbice, Georgetown schools and the Yonex Badminton Club.
The GBA’s open approach to challenges, taking them in stride, learning, and building from them, is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the organisation. All associations are faced with challenges; we at the GBA deal with them as everybody else would.

The standard of Badminton in the Caribbean has been consistently high. It is common for regional tournaments to be open to players from various countries from around the world. This fosters international competition and collaboration and contributes to the overall competitiveness of the sport in the region” posited Emily.

Plans for 2024

Emily already has her sights on the future.

“In 2024 the GBA looks forward to the continuation of partnerships with the Ministry of Sports, the National Sports Commission, the Guyana Olympic Association and our other local and regional stakeholders; this is crucial for sustained growth and development.

The success of the Nursery Badminton Academy and the anticipation of more clubs affiliating with the GBA indicate a promising future for badminton in Guyana” concluded the GBA President.