I was born in a family of modest resources, in the city of Harer which is around 600km from the capital city of Addis Ababa. I am the second child in my family. I used to play a lot during my childhood, particularly football and swimming.
After I completed high school in Addis Ababa I studied health and physical education. After my graduation I taught PE at a secondary school at Addis Ababa. I did my masters from Addis Ababa University in Teaching Methodology of Physical Education.
Since 2012 I have been working in the Federal Sport Commission as Competition and Training Coordinator with various federations such as volleyball and badminton.
First Brush With Badminton
The first time I saw badminton was 25 years ago when I went to watch a movie at the Youth Training Centre with my family. The youth centre was close to an old gymnasium where an inter-regional badminton competition was going on.
What struck me was the challenge of hitting the shuttlecock within the limited area of the court and the mobility of the players in trying to continue play without making errors.
The gymnasium was very far from my village and I needed a bus or taxi to get there so I didn’t engage regularly with badminton, but sometimes I used to go there to watch matches with my family.
Influence of Shuttle Time
In badminton the people who motivated me the most were Shuttle Time teachers course participants during the introduction of badminton lessons at Arebaminc City.
Badminton is today the sport I practice regularly and enjoy the most, it has become a part of my life. It is a family sport that help to enhance social cohesion and tolerance.
Like other sports, you need to be physically fit to play it. However, you also need to develop speed, flexibility and reaction time.
Impact of Shuttle Time
Shuttle Time activities have great impact on sport for health programmes and give us the methods to positively influence communities. With basic badminton skills teachers can work on improving the school environment.
Shuttle Time has helped us get playing material and the tools to use PE lessons to teach badminton.
Lessons From Shuttle Time
To maximise the impact of this project, we need to involve many stakeholders. Group work can help accomplish several tasks.
Shuttle Time has also helped us plan our time and resources and the importance of communicating.
