Eric and Ivy Chang moved from Hong Kong to Texas in 1989. Eric was one of the first people involved in promoting badminton in the Dallas area where they live.
“Eric has a lot of passion for the sport and has been playing the game most of his life,” said Ivy, who has played since her teens.
Today there are about 10 professional badminton clubs in Dallas alone. Eric has always had a dream to build a club of his own but wanted to locate it somewhere other than Dallas. After Eric and Ivy competed for several years in the Oklahoma Senior Games, they decided Oklahoma City would be a perfect place to open a new facility.
“Texas is so large,” Ivy said. “It was closer for us to travel to Oklahoma City and qualify for the National Senior Games than driving to San Antonio.”
Shortly after the 2024 games, the Changs opened Sterling Badminton in OKC. They began with three courts and have since added two more. Pickleball players can utilize the facility as well on an alternating schedule, but there are always at least two badminton courts available and three every evening after 6 p.m.
“We wanted Sterling Badminton to feature what most facilities don’t have, a 45% Shock Absorption Sub Floor, and BWF court mats on every court,” Eric said. “Badminton is a sport that requires quick reaction. A shuttlecock can travel at speeds up to 300 mph which can require a great deal of stop and go movement resulting in possible injury. Our special professional flooring helps protect a player’s knees.”
Sterling Badminton also includes badminton-specific lighting, in addition to dark wall and ceiling coverings for better visibility. Most of these features are not currently found at any other courts in Oklahoma. They also have a pro shop and offer stringing services and training.
“When learning to play badminton, it’s important to have a good coach to teach and guide you down the correct path where you will eventually form the right habits,” Eric said.
Eric also said it’s important to develop solid fundamentals and believes without those, a player will be hindered in the next level of advanced training.
“Learning to play badminton is no different from learning other life skills,” Eric said. “One needs to develop the right skills in the early stage of development. Once a bad habit is formed, it will take even greater effort to unlearn any incorrect habits.”
Eric plays badminton in Dallas four times each week. Eric and Ivy travel to Oklahoma City on weekends to help run Sterling Badminton.
The Changs agree, “Everyone can play badminton at any age. The oldest player to compete at the National Senior Games was in his 90’s. We’ve competed at Nationals three times and this year we’ll travel to Iowa for our fourth National Senior Games competition.”
Eric believes to become a champion in badminton requires more than energy, proper training, and enthusiasm.
“Any individual who wants to reach the top must not be afraid of heights,” Eric said. “To climb to the peak involves a willful sacrifice, determination, and extreme dedication.”
Eric believes that mastering the sport is not for the faint of heart; it is a grueling and lonesome journey reserved for only the bravest of athletes.
“To make it to the summit, one must have the courage to dream and tenacity to turn that dream into reality through love, sweat, and tears,” Eric said. “There is no easy path to the top.”
For more information about Sterling Badminton, visit sterlingbad
