Activated in 2020, the BWF Membership Grants Programme aimed at stimulating a return of badminton activities, has seen over 130 Member Associations benefit.
With ‘Back to Badminton’ the underlying theme, these are some of the national activities delivered in the first quarter of 2021.
Ghana
Badminton Association of Ghana supported elite national junior and senior players from August 2020 until the end of January. The training is to prepare players for upcoming major competitions such as the 2022 Youth Olympic Games and 2022 Commonwealth Games.
South Africa
Badminton South Africa (BSA) conducted its first national line judges course in Benoni on 20 February. The course was presented by BWF accredited line judge and BSA certificated Technical Official Megan Plaatjies to 13 eager participants.
Congo
In early March, a two-day Shuttle Time Teachers Course was delivered by Federation Congolaise de Badminton in Brazzaville. More than 20 teachers participated with the aim to develop badminton in Congolese schools.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Badminton Association coped with the pandemic and delivered a series of virtual meetings focused on topics such as “Women in Badminton” and “Strategic & Operational Planning”. The meetings were successful and ensured the federation continuously engaged local stakeholders in developing the sport.
Iran
National training camps were delivered by Badminton Federation of Iran in 10 states at the beginning of January to more than 1,000 participants. The federation also delivered four Introductory of Shuttle Time & Coach Education courses to participants from 31 provinces.
Timor Leste
A series of junior and senior competitions were organised by Federacao de Badminton de Timor Leste throughout three weekends in January. A total of 194 players (66 girls and 128 boys) participated in the juniors and 210 (62 females and 148 males) participated in the seniors.
Bahrain
Bahrain Badminton & Squash Federation established its first national Para badminton team and provided weekly training to players in preparation of upcoming competitions, including the Asian Youth Para Games in November.
Brunei
A national training camp aimed at providing a fun and enjoyable badminton experience to young players was organised by the Brunei National Badminton Association in Temburong and Kuala Belait districts. A total of 46 players participated and enrolled into the national talent scouting programme.
Italy
Federazione Italiana Badminton initiated a communication campaign aimed at spreading positive message to the local community through badminton. The federation published two videos: “Badminton, the road to fun!” and “We are ready … we can’t wait to start again!” for this initiative.
North Macedonia
A Shuttle Time seminar was organised by the Badminton Federation of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in Ohrid from 16-24 February. Nine gym teachers from three municipalities – Ohrid, Struga and Kichevo – attended to learn more about Shuttle Time.
Lithuania
On 5-7 March, 16 coaches and 35 athletes attended the coaching workshop and a high-performance training session organised by the Lithuanian Badminton Federation. Both the federation and the coaches worked on a one-year development plan for the athletes.
Tonga
A total of 16 training sessions were delivered and completed with a tournament by the Tonga National Badminton Association in March. More than 30 players participated and over 300 experienced AirBadminton activities through more than 30 of the “Come and Try” sessions held every Friday.
Cook Islands
Four-week AirBadminton sessions were delivered by the Cook Islands Badminton Association in Apii Rutaki, Apii Takitumu, Akatemia & Apii Avarua, where there are no indoor facilities. Over 20 sessions were delivered to more than 200 children.
Martinique
From January to February, Ligue de Badminton de Martinique organised a technical official training around the management and organisation of competition for eight participants. A one-week training camp was also provided to top junior and senior players in preparation for local leagues. Four participants from Martinique attended the Shuttle Time Teachers Course in Guadeloupe.
El Salvador
AirBadminton Exhibition launched by the Federacion Salvadorena de badminton in March was a success. Utilising the beach volleyball courts at the National Gymnasium “Adolfo Pineda” of San Salvador, the AirBadminton experience on sand was exciting and fun for the players.
Guadeloupe
Ligue de Guadeloupe de Badminton organised a national senior competition from 6-7 March. More than 95 players participated.
More information on the BWF Membership Grants Programme, visit here.
