“This Cultural Exchange Has Inspired Me to Meet New People and not Put Up so Many Barriers” – Delia Valenzuela

Delia Valenzuela, who oversees the BWF Shuttle Time program at continental level, has been giving her best effort for the development of badminton in the region for several years and highly values the different things that our sport has allowed her to learn for her personal and professional development.

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.

Delia learned about badminton at university, when she was a student, and little by little she became more involved in our sport. She started as a badminton promoter and now she is Development Assistant of Badminton Pan Am Confederation.

“When I was at university, I enrolled in a workshop for badminton promoters organized by the Peruvian badminton federation, there I met Mrs. Pilar Carrillo and Mr. German Valdez. That was the first time I saw badminton, at first it scared me a little, but at the end of the course I found it very fun. After the workshop they encouraged us to promote the sport at the university, I took responsibility and we organized an exhibition, with the support of the federation.”

Thus, over the years, Delia came to the Pan Am Badminton Confederation after belonging to the Peruvian Sports Institute (IPD) and learning more about the development of various sports. Her experience and performance in her work opened doors and provided opportunities, one of them being belonging to the Pan-American badminton family.

“After a few years, I worked at the Peruvian Sports Institute (IPD), where I frequently met Mrs. Pilar Carrillo since she was with the Peruvian Badminton Federation. Sometime later, when I was working in Cuzco after leaving the IPD, I received some calls and I contacted Mr. German Valdez, who told me about the job opportunity that existed in the Pan-American Confederation. I accepted and traveled from Cuzco to Lima to be part of the Confederation where I continue today.”

The environment in which we live influences our character and our way of being, Delia has experienced it and little by little she has been breaking down barriers that did not allow her to fully enjoy the experiences and meet new people. Badminton has allowed her to meet and work with people from different countries, opening her mind and heart to new friends.

“I am quite self-conscious, shy. But the fact of seeing and working with people from different countries, one realizes that people are the same. Before I was a little scared, but not now. This cultural exchange has inspired me to be a little more open and give me the opportunity to meet new people and not put up so many barriers.”

Just like her, many people limit themselves and do not take advantage of the opportunities that are presented in life, or do not enjoy the experiences due to various fears. Delia, having overcome it, invites all women not to be overcome by fear and to try, take steps and try again because the result after that will be encouraging.

“Let’s try. Maybe we make a mistake along the way, but new opportunities will come to try again until we achieve it and that will help us develop as people.”

Already with 8 years being part of the team of Badminton Pan Am, Delia remembers her first years and full of gratitude she recognizes those who gave her the opportunity and those who are part of the team and the same passion for badminton.

“I thank Mrs. Pilar and Mr. German because they gave me the confidence to be part of the Pan American Confederation team. And I also thank the entire Badminton Pan Am team because they have a passion for badminton and that rubs off on the whole team. And under the experience of each one we share knowledge, and we can develop much better activities.”