SHUTTLECOCK

Shuttlecock kicking, Ti Jian Zi, is another traditional popular folk game. Some records date its origin as far back as the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD). This game prevailed during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), when shops specializing in shuttlecocks business appeared. In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), formal competition of shuttlecock kicking was held. In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), shuttlecock kicking reached its climax in terms of both making technics and the kicking skills.Besides, it’s convenient to play, for only a very small area is needed to kick the shuttlecock, and it can be practiced just about anywhere and anytime. The challenge of the increasingly difficult levels of shuttlecock kicking has made it a popular and timeless game among the Chinese.

Michael Holzapfel celebrated himself with winning of the cup of Mike's Birthday Tournament. Michael, the leader of the Austrian shuttlecock, organized second time his special birthday party, 30 of January in Mosonszolnok. On this occassion, besides Austrian players, Hungarian players participated as well and began the new shuttlecock competition season. Eight-eight athletes from the Austrian NSG23 and from the Hungarian Újszászi VVSE fought for the medals. They started with the team event where Újszász went to the top of the podium. After played the "mixed doubles" where the luck arranged the units, one players came from Austria and one from Hungary. The doubles were won by Michael Holzapfel and Kurdi Gábor.

The International Shuttlecock Federation(ISF) pleased to inform that the 6th World Shuttlecock Championships will be staged in Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province of China from July 9 to 14, 2010. All International Shuttlecock Federation members and other interested countries and regions are welcome to send teams to participate.

The Executive Committee Meeting and General Assembly of the International Shuttlecock Federation will take place at the same place on July 10, 2010 during the world championships. Each member is requested to send 2 delegates to attend the said meetings and watch the Championships. The Chinese Shuttlecock Association shall receive maximum 16 people (team manager, players, coaches, judge and meeting delegates) from each member association while the travel expenses to and fro China shall be borne by the participants themselves.

Wei Yong, form the secretariat of the ISF This informed us that the ISF is going to organize the 1st International Shuttlecock Referee Traning Course between July 7-9, 2010 at the same place as the World Championships.

Each ISF Country member is invited to send two top-class referees to join the Course. The referees who finished the course successfully will be conferred an International Referee Certificate and will be invited to officiate at the World Championships.

The President of the German Shuttlecock Association Mr. Peter Von Rüden, just informed us about the upcoming international tournament which will be held in Germany from 8th to 9th of May 2010. In the run-up to the World Championship there will be an international tournament taking place in Hagen-Haspe; Matches between Asian Teams (China and Vietnam) and European Teams (Hungary and Germany) will be held.

The President of the French Shuttlecock Association (France Plumfoot) Mr. François Grignard just sent an invitation to all the SFE Members about the 2nd French Open, which will be held in Sport Hall of Canteleu (140 kms from Paris) form April 3rd to April 5th, 2010.

Like last year, they will use "Team Multigames System" for the games which is identical to "Davis cup" in Tennis. A team can have 3 to 5 players. A “match” between 2 teams has 5 games. Each game give one point. The first team with 3 winning points also wins the "match". The 5 games are played in the following order : 1st Double / 1st Single / Team / 2nd Double / 2nd Single. The players who played the 1st Double can't play the 2nd (in the same "match"). Men and women will compete in the same events, so mixed teams are possible. The net will be 1m60 for the competitions.