BADMINTON player Andra Whiteside is the top bet to win the women’s A grade competition in the 2016 BSP National Badminton Tournament at Yat Sen hall in Suva today.
The 26-year-old had been involved in the sport for about 20 years said she wanted to see more younger players taking up the sport.
“Badminton was always played in my family and that was what got me started. I ended up playing and competing for years because I enjoyed the beauty of the sport itself,” she said.
“Badminton is highly underrated and there is a degree of complexity involved (as is the case with many other sports) which requires skill, speed, agility and quick reflexes, among other factors.
“I first started holding the racquet at a very young age; 6 years old to be exact.”
Whiteside had competed in the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia and at the 2007 and 2011 Games where she won a gold medal in the ladies single and individual event. She was also the silver medallist for the team event and ladies individual doubles.
“To train more and see whether I may still be able to compete both nationally and internationally within the next two to three years,” she added.
“However, I would like to see more of the younger development players coming through and taking over.”
The final will be played today.
