Badminton Community Rally Ahead of Special Olympics World Games Berlin

May 17, 2023

Special Olympics programmes and BWF’s Member Associations are working hard in close collaboration preparing athletes to shine at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany this June.

Special Olympics and the Badminton World Federation (BWF) launched the World Games Training Pledge in 2021, with Special Olympics UAE leading the charge when they signed an agreement with the UAE Badminton Federation, pledging to work together to prepare athletes ahead of the Games. The World Games Training Pledge encourages Special Olympics programmes and BWF’s Member Associations to  train athletes competing at the World Games, as they celebrate, share and showcase the achievements of athletes while recognising one another as valued partners in the development of badminton for people with intellectual disabilities.

Special Olympics UAE & UAE Badminton Federation launched the World Games Training Pledge initiative in November 2021 in Dubai.

Since the signing of the agreement, many Special Olympics programmes and BWF’s Member Associations have taken the pledge to work together to train and prepare more athletes to compete at all levels. The work they do helps promote the Games as the athletes celebrate representing their countries in badminton.

The focus of the relationship built between Special Olympics (SO) Paraguay and the Paraguayan Badminton Federation has allowed SO Paraguay to use the federation’s elite facilities, along with a paid coach from the federation whose focus is the team’s preparation leading up to Berlin 2023. The federation has also helped with acquiring uniforms for the SO Paraguayan badminton team as well as providing instructors who will help with the continuation of training more SO badminton coaches.

Special Olympics Paraguay badminton athletes and coaches are working hard on their Games preparation.

Special Olympics Norway and the Norwegian Badminton Federation are also working hard preparing for the Games. They had a pre-camp for their delegation which included training and unveiling of their new clothing for the Games.

Hans Jakob (left) and Stian (right) showing off their new uniforms.
Other men’s unified doubles attended Norway’s training camp in support of the preparation and to enjoy badminton competition.

“Both Hans Jakob and Stian are looking forward to SOWG 23. They are excited to start practice and want to play their best during the week of competition.” – Norway Coach Andre Høidebraaten

Special Olympics Ukraine and Ukrainian Badminton Federation (UBF) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in April 2021 prior to the launch of the World Games Training Pledge programme. As part of this agreement, they planned training opportunities for SOWG athletes from Ukraine participating in badminton for March and April of 2023. UBF also provided badminton equipment to SO Ukraine and shares the excitement of the preparation and participation of SO Ukraine teams with its media network.

Special Olympics Ukraine (SOU) and Ukrainian Badminton Federation (UBF) signed the Memorandum of Cooperation in April 2021 until the 28th European Badminton Championship.

All Special Olympics programmes and BWF’s Member Associations who have taken the pledge will receive a brand-new set of equipment, the Shuttle Time school kit, courtesy of BWF.

The Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 start on Sunday 17 June with the Opening Ceremony. Seventy countries and over 200 athletes and unified partners are participating in badminton, from all seven Special Olympics regions. Badminton competition is set to begin on Monday 18 June and conclude with the finals on Saturday 24 June.

Special Olympics Belgium and Royal Belgian Badminton Federation were the latest to sign the pledge.
Special Olympics Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Badminton PNG took the pledge to support two players competing at SOWG 2023 and to continue to grow badminton for players with intellectual disabilities.
Special Olympics Thailand and the Badminton Association of Thailand signed the World Games Training Pledge as part of BWF’s AGM in May 2022.