I participated in the ISSO ((International Schools Sports Organization) Badminton Tournament which took place in Delhi this year and it was a a whole new experience, this is a tournament where students from majority of the IB schools across India come and showcase their talents in various sports. I represented Fountainhead in the age-category U-17 for both singles and Team event. This experience not only tested my physical endurance but it also helped me grow as an individual in ways beyond the sport itself. Overall, I ended up securing second place (2nd) in the ISSO Badminton Tournament for the team category.

LO1: Identify your own strengths and develop areas for personal growth.

On the first day, I anticipated that there are going to be multiple players who are skilled and more professional than me. This thought kept me motivated and it allowed me to understand my own skills and weaknesses. My personal strength was playing drops and playing by the net, whereas I was unable to attempt the shots which were usually given on the 6 corners. For the same, before the tournament started, I used to practice daily for at least 2-3 hours and using my strength as my technique really helped me gain crucial points during the matches. Throughout the tournament, I also learnt that self-awareness is also the path to growth, I was able to acknowledge my strengths and identifying my weaknesses gave me a clear direction for improvement.

LO2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.

This tournament was very tedious as the matches were competitive and the pressure built for each kept on increasing gradually. One of the biggest challenges I faced was competing against skilled players that had more experience than me. To keep up with this, I analysed my opponents’ gameplay and mentally prepared myself accordingly. This experience has taught me the importance of strategic approach in sports.

LO4: Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences.

A lot of hard-work and dedication was required for this tournament as I wanted a good end result, the competition was during our vacations and I did not go out with my family for vacation for this very reason. Apart from that, during our Term 1 exams, my teammate and I used to stay-back for hours in school so that we can get good amount of practice and have a proper coordination with my partner. Managing my academics along with the intense training was very tough but I learnt to manage my time effectively and set priorities accordingly. Even when I was very exhausted, I ensured that I tried my best to stay motivated and never looked back, the only thing I kept in my mind was my goal to win!

LO5: Demonstrate the skills and recognise the benefits of working collaboratively.

The category where we won was the doubles event and working collaboratively with my teammates was very crucial. We had to understand the other persons move, set a proper coordination, give proper calls for the next shot, and cheer the other person so that both of us stay motivated. For all the matches I played, I ensured that there was smooth communication between my partner and trusting one another is also something which I learnt is important for winning. Apart from that, our practices made everything work out, both of us were all set to play and beat the opponent and we had set a rhythm till then, while also learning to cover the weaknesses of eachother.

LO6: Engage with issues of global significance.

While Badminton is a very competitive sport, it also promotes inclusivity, discipline, and the event brought together students from various cultures, promoting intercultural understanding and respect. I engaged with peers from different backgrounds while fostering friendships despite our diverse origins. It is also all about sportsmanship and fair play, this taught me to respect the opponent and make fair judgements with integrity.

Overall, the ISSO Badminton Tournament was an enriching experience that went beyond just competing on the court with 4 boxes, a shuttle, and a racket. This experience tested my strength, ability, determination, and dedication towards the thing I love the most. I was able to successfully identify my strengths and weaknesses, learn how to perform under a lot of pressure and collectively bring a good outcome. Next year I am hoping to achieve a better outcome, we came second and it makes me very proud to know that we made history as nobody till now has won any medals in the Nationals from Fountainhead in Badminton. I hope to have the same perception for all my other competitions!