The Pluipluckers also won medals in the mixed doubles. — © if
The Pluimplukkers took home eighteen medals at the Belgian youth badminton championship. The Ghent badminton club played a home match in the Topsporthal and did even better than two years ago, when the youngest members together won thirteen medals.
After the successful BC in 2022, where the youth players of the Pluimplukkers achieved a record number of medals, the badminton club felt that its players deserved a BC in their own city. “We wanted to give them a gift,” says Jan Laporte of the Pluimplukkers.
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“We normally train in the Rozebroeken: a beautiful gym, but not suitable for the public. Ultimately, we came up with the idea of organizing the tournament in the Top Sports Hall.” Not obvious, because there is an athletics floor there. Thanks to fifty volunteers, it was converted into a badminton hall in one evening.
The youth players made great use of it and won eighteen medals in five disciplines: eight gold, ten silver. The disciplines are singles and doubles for boys and girls and mixed doubles. In total, around 250 players from 66 clubs took part. (Read more below the photos)
The youth gave the best of themselves last weekend in the Top Sports Hall. — © if
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Waiting lists
The youth players of the Pluimplukkers have only improved over the past two years. “Our work is paying off. We organize three focus training sessions per week for competitive players, two training sessions per week for recreational players. Almost anyone can pick a feather, but it is difficult to become a master at it.”
Badminton is a popular sport in Ghent. The Pluimplukkers have 620 members and work with waiting lists for both youth and adults. “During corona, many badminton clubs in Belgium encountered problems because playing indoors was not allowed. Many players switched to padel, but fortunately the Pluiplukkers continue to grow.”
The club looks back on the Belgian Championship with great satisfaction. “The youth know each other well. They always train together and have become friends. Even those who had no chance of winning medals stayed to support until the end. We hope to continue with the club for a long time as we are doing.”
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