Current Guyana Badminton Association President Emelia Ramdhani aims to teach badminton to her entire country and continue the legacy her husband left in continental badminton.
Within the framework of International Women’s Day, Badminton Pan Am celebrates outstanding women in our sport through interviews throughout the month of March: the Pan Am Women’s Month.
Emily is a banker and shares her current job with her passion for badminton, a passion she acquired through the influence of her husband Gokarn Ramdhani, who passed away in 2021, leaving a great legacy to badminton in Guyana and the region.
“My relationship with Badminton began when I met my late husband Gokarn Ramdhani, Past President of the Guyana Badminton Association and Past Board Member of Badminton Pan Am. He taught me how to play, then taught my kids how to play and compete internationally. Everything I know about Badminton I learned from him.”
And everything Emily knows about badminton she has put into practice, participating in various tournaments and contributing to the development of badminton in Guyana. Now, as President of the Guyana Badminton Association, Emily has a clear goal, to continue spreading badminton throughout the country.
“My objective is to teach badminton to all 83,000 square miles of Guyana.”
All the benefits that the sport can bring to each person and even more, the opportunities and positive things that badminton can offer to people, is something that Emily is clear about and that is why the clear objective of reaching every corner of Guyana with our sport.
“Sports has given me so much, the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life, a family, it has widened my knowledge about sports and the way it can be a mover and a shaker in a country and worldwide, it has also made me a more rounded individual.”
With everything she has experienced up to now, as a wife, mother, manager, athlete, etc., Emily encourages more women to assume various roles in sport, for the benefit of each one and the environment that surrounds them.
“I would say go for it; getting involved in sports is the best thing you can do for yourself and for the younger women growing up who can/will emulate you. There are so many benefits you can derive from sports as an athlete, coach or manager.” (badmintonpanam.org)
