This post was originally published on the Bestminton Club fanpage
A year ago, I moved to the city. People said the best way to explore a new city is to join local communities there, so I tried to find some. I looked around and ended up picking badminton groups, since I can play it not too badly.
I started playing with my ex-colleagues. Then I went to play with different groups across the city. And I noticed something kinda interesting – the vibe for badminton is totally different up North compared to down South.
Back in Hanoi (I was there for 10+ years), games felt super intense, even though everyone was skilled and the level was balanced. But down here in Saigon? It’s way more chill and just about having fun. It’s something I wouldn’t have realized if I hadn’t experienced both.
But even playing with all these groups, I felt like… I dunno, something still was missing.
One day, I went to play with a group of expats. There was this one guy who was really good, probably one of the best I’ve played with. At first I thought, he’s probably only gonna play with other strong players. But nope. He played with everyone. All skill levels. And in every game, he’d play just right so everyone could keep up and have fun, kinda like a coach on the court. Plus, he was totally chill, always had a smile on his face, and never once got mad or annoyed if his partner messed up a shot. Seriously, first time I’d ever seen a player like him.
There’s a part in the movie “Coach Carter” that I really like: “Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking, so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were all meant to shine as children do. It is not just in some of us it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
I felt like that he totally lived that quote. He literally holds back his own shine (even though he totally could if he wanted to) so the people playing with him get the chance to shine in their own way too.
That moment made me think: wouldn’t it be awesome if there was a group full of people like that?
This is one of the reasons why I created Bestminton.
I’ll tell the rest later. Maybe at the 2nd Year Anniversary.
Thanks to everyone who’s been part of the journey so far.
See you on the court.
Ho Chi Minh City, 2025 April
