Jayce
In 1958, a 20-year-old Indonesian-Chinese woman named Chen Channiang embarked on a journey that would forever change the landscape of badminton in Xiamen. A renowned badminton player and one of the founders of Xiamen’s first badminton team, Chen passed away peacefully in Hong Kong on February 9 at the age of 85. This article is a tribute to her legacy and contributions.
A Legacy of Sporting Excellence
The history of Xiamen’s badminton team is a tale not widely known today. In the 1950s and 1960s, many of China’s leading badminton players were overseas Chinese returning from countries like Indonesia. These athletes, including Chen Channiang, played a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of homegrown talent.
Born in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 1938, Chen Channiang developed a passion for badminton early on. She competed in national tournaments during her youth, gaining some recognition. In 1959, driven by patriotism, she left behind a comfortable life to return to China, joining the Fujian Provincial Badminton Team to serve her country.
Founding Xiamen’s Badminton Team
In 1965, the Xiamen Sports Committee established a sports school. Chen’s husband, Zuo Xinhua, was a basketball coach at Jimei Overseas Chinese School. Following her application to return to Xiamen, Chen was appointed to lead badminton training at the new sports school.
At that time, Xiamen lacked proper badminton facilities. Adequate training required an indoor space to avoid weather disruptions and a soft enough floor to prevent knee injuries. Chen eventually secured the canteen of the Xiamen Engineering Machinery Factory as a makeshift training venue. She then scouted over 20 young students, around seven years old, from various elementary schools across the city to form the training team.
Building from Scratch
Initially, the Sports Committee only provided rackets and shuttlecocks. Some students did not even have proper shoes, let alone sportswear. Despite these challenges, Xiamen’s first badminton team was born in this modest environment.
Chen treated her 20 young trainees like treasures. After three years of rigorous training, several team members were absorbed into various sports schools, including Lin Ying, who later became a notable player on the Chinese national team, winning multiple world championships.
Life in Hong Kong and Continuing Influence
In 1976, Chen moved to Hong Kong, where she continued to train young badminton enthusiasts and participated in amateur senior badminton teams. She frequently returned to the mainland to compete in senior badminton invitationals.
In July 2014, Chen was invited back to Xiamen for an event. After more than thirty years, she was delighted to see her former trainees still playing badminton. Some had become referees at national and international competitions, others were coaching teams or running badminton training programs, enjoying fulfilling lives and prosperous careers. This brought Chen immense joy and satisfaction.
Fond Memories and Nostalgia
Chen expressed deep affection for Xiamen and its people, reminiscing about her trainees and the local delicacies like oyster omelets, fried noodles, five-spice rolls, and fish ball soup, which were staple foods for athletes back then. Weekly nutritional supplements included dishes like braised pork trotters and chicken soup, which were fondly remembered by Chen.
Conclusion
Chen Channiang’s story is a testament to her dedication and love for badminton, as well as her significant contributions to the sport in Xiamen and beyond. Her legacy continues to inspire future generations of badminton players and coaches.
