Mariah Ramharack Instagram
The inaugural Badminton Summit, held on Saturday, proved a resounding success, drawing in 93 attendees throughout the day and surpassing 100 participants with the inclusion of panelists. The event offered a platform for badminton players, parents, sports professionals, and fans to delve into essential topics related to athlete development, mental health, and personal branding, all within a supportive and interactive setting.
Patrons left the summit equipped with crucial insights into holistic athletic development, covering everything from training, sleep, and nutrition, to the importance of warm-ups and recovery routines. Additionally, the discussions highlighted the mind-body connection, emphasizing the value of setting SMART goals and understanding that anxiety, though often perceived negatively, can be a normal and even beneficial response, indicating genuine interest and engagement.
One of the key lessons from the summit was the importance of mental health management, social media presence, and building a support team to help achieve athletic goals. These insights offered attendees a comprehensive view of what it takes to succeed not only in badminton but in any high-performance sporting environment.
Mariah Ramharack, moderator for the event and a presenter on the popular SportsMax show SportsMax Zone, praised the summit's wide-reaching impact. "Overall, the summit was a success in multiple aspects! Firstly, as the moderator, I must say the turnout was very encouraging and not only limited to badminton players. The age group of the participants ranged from the bright-eyed little boy or girl enthusiastic about sport to their parents, grandparents, and key stakeholders in sport."
Ramharack also commended the summit’s openness, which allowed participants to engage directly with experts, ensuring no questions went unanswered. "At the end of the summit, even I benefited from the fruitful discussions. What I enjoyed most was the openness afforded at the forum—the ability for the participants to ask their questions directly to the experts. In that way, no one left the room with an unanswered question, and each person felt involved in what was happening."
The summit’s sessions were thoughtfully designed to address key aspects of athlete development. The first topic, titled "The Power Play," delved into the importance of effective athlete management, where experts discussed strategies to optimize training and performance while balancing the demands of competitive sports. Following that, "Mind and Muscle: Fueling the Champion Within" explored the mental and physical synergy required to achieve peak performance. Panelists emphasized the importance of the mind-body connection, sharing insights into mental resilience, focus, and the role of physical conditioning in building a champion mindset.
Finally, the session on "Brand You: Crafting Your Legacy Beyond the Court" highlighted the importance of personal branding for athletes, guiding participants on how to build a lasting legacy that extends beyond their sporting achievements. This session covered the effective use of social media to engage fans and attract potential sponsors, as well as strategies for establishing a personal brand that reflects athletes' values and aspirations.
These topics provided attendees with a holistic view of what it takes to succeed both on and off the court, underscoring the importance of mental fortitude, physical preparation, and the ability to create a meaningful impact beyond competition.
The sessions were brought to life by a stellar lineup of speakers, including IAAF World Championship silver medalist Fedrick Dacres, Jamaica Olympic Association Vice President Robert Scott, PFJL CEO Owen Hill, West Indies cricketer Chadwick Walton, and Bruce James, co-founder and President of MVP Track and Field Club. Their experiences and insights gave attendees a wealth of knowledge and inspiration.
Ramharack summed up her enthusiasm for the event, expressing her eagerness for future summits: "The topics explored and the choice of panelists per segment were also very impressive. Looking forward to Part Two!"
The success of this inaugural event not only provided valuable lessons for all involved but set the stage for further engagements aimed at strengthening Jamaica’s athletic community and inspiring future champions across sports.
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
Jamaica Badminton Association launches Badminton Month with inaugural summit to raise the standard of the sport among developing athletes
The Jamaica Badminton Association (JBA) proudly announces the launch of Badminton Month, kicking off with the first-ever Jamaica Badminton Sport Summit on November 9, 2024.
This summit, designed to elevate the performance and knowledge of Jamaica’s aspiring athletes, will set the stage for a month filled with competitive events and educational initiatives aimed at advancing badminton at all levels in Jamaica.
JBA President Vishwanauth Tolan explained the driving force behind the summit, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to athlete development that goes beyond the game itself.
“It’s the first time we are hosting a summit like this. We’ve recognized that many of our athletes lack critical knowledge about the pathways necessary for reaching elite status. Often, young Jamaican players compete well at ages 12 to 14, but by 18, their regional counterparts have taken a different development path that includes essential aspects like brand building, physical and mental preparation, and understanding their roles in the sport,” Tolan said.
He highlighted that the gap between Jamaican athletes and their international peers stems partly from limited awareness among players, coaches, and parents.
“Parents may not realize the level of commitment and strategy required if their child is to become elite. The journey involves more than just weekly practice. For Jamaica to have a competitive presence internationally, we need a comprehensive approach that includes stakeholder support,” he added.
The summit will address critical areas of athlete development, featuring expert-led panel discussions on topics such as personal branding, physical conditioning, and the unique roles of coaches, managers, and family.
Among the featured speakers are Bruce James, who will provide insights into the role of an agent, and Owen Hill, who transformed the Jamaican Premier League, demonstrating how brand-building can attract sponsors.
Romone Robinson, social media influencer, entrepreneur, and former Jamaica national badminton player, and Dr. Patrice Simmonds will also engage participants.
Key sessions at the summit include: “Brand You: Crafting Your Legacy beyond the Field” – Focused on personal branding and social media strategy to enhance athlete visibility.
“Mind and Muscle: Fueling the Champion Within”– Addressing the interconnectedness of mental strength, nutrition, injury prevention, and peak performance.
“Mastering Your Role on the Elite Pathway” – A roadmap for athletes, coaches, agents, and family members to collaboratively build a winning strategy for success.
Jamaican discus silver medalist Fedric Dacres will join the “Mind and Muscle” panel, sharing his personal experiences on the significance of mental toughness and physical conditioning for achieving elite status.
The summit marks the start of an exciting Badminton Month, followed by the All Jamaica National Junior Championships from November 16-17. The All Jamaica National Junior and Open Championships will take place on November 23-24, and the inaugural Super Series Final on December 1, providing athletes at all levels an opportunity to showcase their skills and compete against top talent.
As Jamaica’s official governing body for badminton, the JBA has long been committed to growing the sport and nurturing athletes who aspire to represent Jamaica internationally.
Through initiatives like the Jamaica Badminton Sport Summit, the JBA aims to build a solid foundation for Jamaica’s future stars, positioning the nation as a key competitor on the regional and global badminton stage.
Allison, Wynter claim open singles titles at week two of JBA Shuttle Showdown Tournament
Craig Allison and Katherine Wynter emerged as winners of the Division A Men’s and Women’s Singles Badminton titles, respectively, at week two of the Jamaica Badminton Academy (JBA) Shuttle Showdown at the YMCA in Kingston from September 21-22.
Allison secured the Men’s title with a 2-0 (21-18, 21-17) win over Joel Angus while on the Women’s side, Wynter dominated Alexandra Beckford 2-0 (21-9, 21-12).
The Men’s Singles crown in Division B was taken by Odray Sealy who came from a set down to defeat Jamie Lee Vernon in three sets (18-21, 21-14, 21-12).
Brianna Burke defeated Sue-Ann Ogle in straight sets (21-16, 21-18) to win the Women’s Singles Division C title.
In Doubles, Anthony McNee and Kemar Valentine defeated Kenneth Anglin and beaten singles finalist Joel Angus 21-12, 21-18 to take the Men’s Division A title while singles champion Katherine Wynter combined with Stefani Brown to add the doubles crown with a 21-14, 23-21 win over Alexandra Beckford and Breanna Bisnott.
Stephen Lue Yen and Aaliyah Walker took the Division A Mixed Doubles crown with a 19-21, 26-24, 23-21 win over Kenneth Anglin and Stefani Brown.
In Division C, Jorie McBean and Samuel Smith took the Men’s Doubles title with a 21-18, 21-11 win over Jhevado Ross and Matheus Smith.
Brianna Burke added to her singles title with doubles success alongside Zoelle Jamel as they defeated Dadrian Lewis and Davina Scott 21-19, 19-21, 21-10.
Burke added her third title of the weekend in Mixed Doubles when she combined with Chavaughn Schleifer to defeat Joseph Morrison and Zoelle Jamel 21-17, 21-18.
The age-group were as follows: U9 Boys Singles- Zamani Allen, U9 Girls Singles- Jillian Yap, U11 Boys Singles- Justin Dillon, U11 Girls Singles- Brea Grant, U13 Boys Singles- Ethan Grant, U13 Girls Singles- Ella Bella Palmer, U13 Mixed Doubles- Ethan Grant and Savannah Watson, Boys U15 Singles- Amir McBean, Girls U15 Singles- Leeya Dileep, U15 Mixed Doubles- Matheus Smith and Sue-Ann Ogle, U15 Boys Doubles-Amir McBean and Matheus Smith.
More than 100 players turn out at week one of 2024 Shuttle Shutdown Badminton Tournament in Kingston
Over 100 players turned out to display their talents at first weekend of the Shuttle Showdown Badminton Tournament 2024 which took place at the YMCA in Kingston on September 14th and 15th.
From thrilling matches in the Beginner’s Division, Division B, and Division D to the enthusiastic support from around 150 spectators daily, the tournament showcased exceptional badminton talent, sportsmanship and community spirit.
With over $150,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs, players truly gave their all on the court.
Tijae Hinds was the star of the weekend, taking the titles in Division B Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles alongside Stephen Lue-Yen and Mixed Doubles alongside Breanna Bisnott.
The other winners were as follows:
Beginner’s Division- Selcon Zhang (Men’s Singles), Rolde Ann Broderick and Ashani Edwards (Mixed Doubles) and Davina Scott and Leonardo Wildman (Mixed Doubles).
Division D- Jhevado Ross (Men’s Singles), Dadrian Lewis (Women’s Singles), Marvin Lee and Rohan Brown (Men’s Doubles).
Patrons also enjoyed servings from The Burrito Shack, Zen Bowls and Bad Dawg Sausages, among many others to combat the heat of the day.
Jamaica Badminton Academy extends their gratitude to their sponsors including Chas. E. Ramson, Devon Biscuits, Lifespan Springwater, Premier Optical, Zalco Distributors, Shop Tech Goods, VP Racket Sports, Jamaica Sotheby's Realty Jamaica, ND Communications, Haven Beauty House, Dr. Mangue Chin and Television Jamaica for their coverage.
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