The first version of the JianZi dates back to the 2nd century BC in China. Jian Zi had become famous in Asia only when The International Shuttlecock Federation was founded in 1999. Known as Sey in Khmer, according to an interview, had been widely played right after the Khmer Rouge.
Again, I’d like to say that the Riverside is an amazeball place, there are so many things you get to see there; IF you can see LIFE. Shuttlecock or Jian Zi or Sey, is not a widely fancied sport in Cambodia. There are no organizations or federations helping this sport to develop, and it seems like we know very little about it. To the people here, it’s just not as interesting as soccer or basketball is.
The sports has gotten more development these recent years, there was a community formed where the players get to hangout with each other, trying to promote the sport. To play Sey, the players have to form a circle, consisting around 6-8 players. Each player has his own style of play, freestyle techniques, they all look very professional.
Of course they are seniors and juniors and the newbies, one of the most respected seniors has been playing the Shuttlecock game right after the Khmer Rouge era ended. He plays very calm, he looks at the game properly, sometimes, when the timing is way above perfect, you don’t really need to hit that hard.
It looks fun to me, but also very very hard to be mastered. You see how they kick it? I’m at loss of words to describe, all I can say is that they have to get the perfect timing and power to keep the flow going, and that is not an easy task. One more thing, I bet they are as patient as a predator waiting for its prey, silent but accurate, no space for mistakes.
Riverside is the ice cream, and the Shuttlecock game has been the spices that are added into, it has not just made Riverside a better place, it has also made its own signature towards the locals and the expats. The Shuttlecock game has made such an impact that the Ministry of Tourism has decided to paint a proper lane and columns where the game can be properly played. Though this does not guarantee that there will be more people interested in this sport or that its popularity will rise, but it will definitely give the expats at the Riverside a good dose of excitement.
Above all, I personally think there should be organizations helping the sports to develop faster than it is now. There should be a national tournaments, I bet there are more Shuttlecock players in Cambodia than just the ones in Riverside. Schools should start teaching kids the Shuttlecock game, it does not really matter whether the sport was originated in Cambodia or not, but the Shuttlecock game is one of the few sports Khmers started playing, it should be taken care of properly.
Gold doesn't need to be preserved niiicely or properly…..it shines wherever it is. Shuttlecock isn’t, let us do what is needed to be done and make it shine brighter.
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