Coach Lu Xueren (second from right) shows shuttlecocks used in the game in Ranchi on Friday. Picture by Prashant Mitra

Ranchi, Feb. 5: The centuries-old Chinese game, Chien Tsu or shuttlecock, made its official debut in the state today in the presence of Chinese coach Lu Xueren, who is also the Chinese Shuttlecock Federation deputy director (technical committee).

Invited by the five-month-old Indian Shuttlecock Federation (ISF), Lu will train about 40 players, who have come here from Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and other states, from tomorrow at the indoor badminton stadium at Mega Sports Complex in Hotwar.

“In five months, the ISF has developed 22 state units with nine of these recognised by the respective state Olympic associations. We are now training the players for the 6th World Cup and the annual congress in China in July. Lu has been invited to coach our players keeping the date of the meet in mind,” said K.K. Singh, the ISF president.

Evolving from an ancient military exercise in China in the 5th Century BC, when it was known as Ti Jian Zi, or shuttlecock, it was very popular during the Han and Song dynasties (207-906). In the Song dynasty, Ti Jian Zi was renamed as Chien Tsu, the Chinese word for arrow. A number of Chinese military generals used this game to relax and exercise their troops.

“This game is a very good way of exercising as it develops quick reflexes, agility and concentration, which explains its popularity in military training,” explained Lu.

At present, this game is played in schools all over China. “It is quite similar to volleyball. The players or teams get 21 points ahead of the opponents and win a game or match. The players, like in volleyball, make every effort to keep the shuttlecock in the air. The player or team that allows the shuttlecock to touch the ground loses a point. But it is different from volleyball in the respect that in this game instead of a ball, a shuttlecock made of feathers, lead and tin is used. The other difference is that a player can use his feet, knees, hips and the body to hit the shuttlecock, but he cannot use his hands,” Lu said.

Importantly, the ISF is a member of the International Shuttlecock Federation, which is recognised by the Olympic Council of Asia.

It has many office-bearers from the state, including Arun Kumar Singh (administrative director), K.K. Singh (president), Chandra Mohan Kapoor (senior vice-president), Suresh Kumar (joint secretary-general) and Sanjesh Mohan Thakur (executive member).