Air Badminton launched in Samoa

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 22 April 2024: The launch of the Air-badminton sport in Samoa last Saturday has brought a whole new perspective to the Badminton Sport that is played indoors.

The same rules however apply to both. The only difference is air-badminton can be played anywhere because it uses a special shuttle compared to indoor badminton with a light feather shuttle that can easily be blown away by the wind when played outside.

The shuttle used for indoor badminton is made from goose feathers whilst the shuttle created for outside badminton is made of plastic.

The former Samoa Badminton Association President and veteran member Lemalu Nynette Sass said Air-badminton is fun and accessible.

She said the Badminton World Federation searched for ways to make the sport more fun and popular and they came up with the Air-badminton idea.

“They want to make the sport more popular and take it out to others who cannot afford to come to the gym, so they came up with Air-badminton just before the covid lockdown,” said Lemalu.

She said the idea is for a different style of shuttle which can fly in the wind and will help make the sport to more people.

The Badminton Oceania Development Officer Sam Kreutzer said their focus is for more fun, more participation and accessibility to everyone.

“After a long time trying to design a different kind of shuttle, they came up with one that has a certain amount of weight that the wind cannot blow away, heavier and moves a little bit quicker and more resilient and has no age limits,” said Kreutzer.

Kreutzer’s team from Badminton Ocean conducted a weeklong training with the local Badminton Association and visited several schools and Special Olympics Samoa to introduce the sport.

“One thing about this sport is the inclusive participation of everyone and we are happy to work with the Special Olympics team to deliver more,” he said.

The badminton World Federation tried to introduce the sport at the International Beach Volleyball event last year, but unfortunately, the tournament was cancelled.

“It is up to Samoa to use the sport for national or school competitions should they wish to,” said Kreutzer.