[BIG FRIDAY READ] Badminton an ‘escape from tragedies’

Cape Town - It may be just a sport to someone else, but for 18-year-old Micheala Ohlson from Ocean View, badminton has proved an escape from the many tragedies she has faced in her young life and an opportunity to reach her full potential.

Ohlson, a grade 11 learner who lives in Lavender Hill with her aunt, has been playing the sport since the age of 10.

With hard work and perseverance, her talent recently landed her a spot on the South African team to compete at the All Africa under 19 tournament in Mauritius next month.

Now, all she needs is financial support “I love badminton, it makes me happy and it takes my mind off a lot of things. It’s really nice knowing I’ll be around positive people; it’s also an escape from your circumstances.

“The sport has been part of my life for about eight years now. Badminton has also taught me about respect and the importance of being dedicated to something because, to be good, it takes sacrifice. Instead of going out with my friends on weekends, I need to go to badminton, and I love it.”

Badminton is the fastest-growing racket sport in the world, played predominantly indoors.

According to the Badminton World Federation, it takes its name from Badminton House – home of the Duke of Beaufort in the English county of Gloucestershire.

In 1873, the Duke was credited with bringing a version of the game – Poona – back from India and introducing it to his guests.

“The sport quickly grew in popularity, and in 1877, the first set of written rules was devised by the newly formed Bath Badminton Club. The Badminton Federation of England was created 16 years later, and in 1899, it organised the first All England Championships,” the Olympics and BWF explained.

Ohlson is one of four children and moved in with her aunt after a court order when she lost both her grandmother and her mother within months of each other – a tragedy that she is still learning to live with.

“I have been through a lot in life. My mother passed away, and my grandmother, and my father. I grew up with my grandmother because my mother was on drugs, and my father passed away when I was around nine.

I had to help my grandmother with my siblings, sometimes I couldn’t go to school as I had to look after them.

That’s where badminton came in, helping me escape those circumstances at home.

“In 2019, in September my grandmother died. My mother then got off drugs and moved into her house to look after us. In December of that year, my mother also passed. The cause of her death is still confusing, I still struggle with the reason why in my mind, overthinking it.”

The teen said to cope she takes things one day at a time and tries to stay focused on her dreams.

“I want to be part of the South African Badminton structure group and I want to be successful in life. I want to go to the army and to be able to look after my brother and sister one day.”

Determined to achieve her goals, Ohlson put in the work, attending badminton three days a week and going to the gym at school every day to keep up her fitness.

She was selected to represent her country in Benin last year but unfortunately she could not go after coming into contact with someone who had Covid the day before the team’s departure.

Ohlson’s coach, Mike Noone has seen Ohlson grow up on the court.

Noone explained that in Cape Town, there are about 150 people playing league badminton, and they were working on growing the sport with clubs from Ocean View, to Gugulethu and Mitchells Plain.

Referring to Ohlson, Noone said: “She was always in the shadow of some other players, but took the opportunity, fought through, and came out above other players.

“She’s a quiet unassuming girl, very humble and polite, and she’s incredibly strong. She’s gone through some very tough times. A couple of years ago on a tour, her mom passed away. We asked her ‘do you want to go back?’ and she said no. She stayed with Francois (another coach) then the court moved her to her aunt in Lavender Hill. Despite everything, she pulled through and she is really there on merit,” he said.

Western Province Badminton Association chairman, Glen Stokell said Ohlson has continued to excel in her sport which is her passion.

“She is a role model in the badminton community and at the recent South African Open, held in Cape Town, reaching the semifinals of the women’s singles discipline.

“Her performance was noted by the national selectors and she achieved a tournament grading due to her good showing.

“The unfortunate part is that we need to raise R30,000 to be able to participate in the event: to cover the flights, accommodation, etc as the players have to cover their own costs.

We would sincerely appreciate any assistance that would be able to make her dream come true, which she truly deserves.”

Donations can be made at: Standard Bank, Kromboom branch, WP Junior Badminton, account number: 27 819 1207, reference: Micheala. Or contact Noone on: 083 307 0595

Cape Times