The Formation of the Singapore Badminton Association and Emerging Players and Clubs at the Singapore Open Badminton Championships, 1929–1941

Abstract

This study describes and analyses the two phases in the development of badminton in Singapore during British colonial rule drawing on the English language newspaper reports. It highlights the ethnic, gender and social class context in the history the game. During the first phase badminton was brought in and played by the military, Europeans and Indian and Chinese migrants. In 1920, the Amateur Sporting Association promoted the game in Singapore and Malaya. Badminton Parties were founded by the Chinese, Malay, and Indian communities and by commercial organizations. The second phase occurred when the Singapore Badminton Association was founded in 1929. Tennis was played by the European, military and Straits Chinese who established their own clubs and played among themselves while badminton was played by the working-class people. The Association lead by an elected Straits Chinese-dominated management team, organised competitions for individual and team events and English boys’ schools. The early individual and club competitions were won by Eurasian players. By 1934, the Chinese players and clubs dominated the game. The standards of play of one women’s singles and two men’s singles Singapore open champions were high considering they also won their respective singles titles at the All-Malaya badminton championships.