1. No category

SHUTTLE WORLD
JANUARY - MARCH 2015 / EDITION NO. 9
Woman in Badminton: Australia’s Val Nesbitt.
HIGHLIGHTS
ROAD TO RIO: SCRAMBLE FOR
OLYMPIC PLACES BECKONS (PAGE 4)
NEW BADMINTON RESEARCH
UNDERWAY (PAGES 8-9)
KEY DATES
07-12 April
OUE Singapore Open 2015
(Superseries), Singapore
14-19 April
China Masters 2015 (Grand Prix
Gold), Changzhou
21-26 April
Badminton Asia Championships
2015 (Continental Championships),
Wuhan (China)
28 April-03 May
Skycity New Zealand Open 2015
(Grand Prix Gold), Auckland
10-17 May
BWF Sudirman Cup 2015,
Dongguan (China)
26-31 May
The Star Australian Open
(Superseries), Sydney
02-07 June
Indonesia Open 2015 (Superseries
Premier), Jakarta
12-28 June
Baku 2015 European Games
(Multisports), Baku (Azerbaijan)
16-21 June
2015 Yonex US Open Badminton
Championships (Grand Prix Gold),
New York
BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION
Malaysia’s Moment: Three stalwarts of Malaysian badminton, HRH Tengku Kamil Ismail Tengku Idris Shah (right);
Tan Sri Ir (Dr) Mohamed Al-Amin Abd Majid (second left) and Wan Mohammed Haji Wan Awang (left), received their
Meritorious Service Awards from BWF President Poul-Erik Høyer at the Maybank Malaysia Open 2015.
SALUTING
‘Shuttle Service’
Stories of life-long service to badminton; pioneering and diligent work in the sport; and peerless
officiating leap from the Badminton World Federation’s 2014 awards list.
Whether it’s the more than 45 years that John Havers served on Badminton England’s Council or
the innovative coaching techniques introduced by former Chinese head coach Wang Wenjiao
or the vital development and promotion of badminton by stalwarts like Australia’s Val Nesbitt
or Professor Dr. Puzant Kassabian of Bulgaria – the progress of badminton through the ages
unfolds in the biographies of those saluted by the world-governing body.
Continues on page 9
lifetime Achievement Awards: Wang Wenjiao of China (left) and John Havers of England.
www.bwfbadminton.org
PAGE 2
EDITORIAL
Dear Colleagues and Friends
As we move into the second quarter of 2015, the badminton season is well underway and
we have already seen our top athletes in action in the MetLife BWF World Superseries
at events like the Yonex All England Championships; the Yonex-Sunrise India Open and
the Maybank Malaysia Open. The Indian tournament will be long remembered by home
fans who saw two of their own win the singles titles. All this signals that we are once again
en route to the BWF World Superseries Finals in Dubai, with lots of action and suspense
awaiting us in the months ahead. We again look forward to partnering with Falcon and
Associates as well as Dubai Sports Council for another riveting conclusion to our World
Superseries tour as elite competitors from across the badminton spectrum vie to qualify
for the season-ender. This showdown features the top eight players/pairs in the five
traditional categories clashing for a share of badminton’s richest jackpot – US$1 million.
Poul-Erik Høyer
BWF President
Before we reach that far however there will be the spectacle of two BWF Major Events
– the Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup in May and the TOTAL BWF World Championships in
August – which will certainly captivate the global badminton fan base and again provide
platforms for us to enjoy the best in team and individual battles. Starting in May, the “Race
to Rio” Olympic Qualification is another sub-plot which will play out across the world over
the next year as players try to book their place in the Rio 2016 Summer Games.
All these events – let’s not forget the BWF Grand Prix Gold circuit – make for a fascinating
landscape of world-class badminton which now enjoys a broadcast audience (television/
online) of more than 500 million. To accommodate fans’ desire for more live coverage,
BWF is introducing a new online platform (www.livestream.com/bwfbadminton) which will
show live matches on Court 2 of all MetLife BWF World Superseries and BWF Grand Prix
Gold tournaments.
Our para-badminton calendar is also quite busy with a mixture of international tournaments
across Asian and European countries. Additionally, the BWF Para-Badminton World
Championships 2015 in England this September will again bring together top performers
to battle for the title of World Champion. Action began with the V Spanish Para-Badminton
International in March and next turns to the China Para-Badminton International in Beijing
from 13-17 May. Dublin hosts the Irish Para-Badminton International from 24-28 June
while the 2nd Indonesia Para-Badminton International takes place in Solo from 5-9
August. An international tournament is also being planned in the Pan American region
and details will be forthcoming.
At the same time, we in BWF are pushing ahead with our development agenda. It is our
goal to have implemented the schools’ grassroots programme Shuttle Time in 90 member
associations by our upcoming Annual General Meeting in Dongguan, China. That would
mean roughly half our 182 members have embraced the initiative whose focus is to train
teachers and coaches to deliver safe and fun badminton lessons to children. On a related
note, I am pleased to welcome the French islands of Martinique (in the Caribbean) and
Réunion (in the Indian Ocean) as our newest members, increasing the BWF family to 182
member associations. We look forward to working with them to develop badminton in
their countries.
Badminton is a busy business these days and it must be pleasing to stalwarts of the sport
– such as those honoured on our 2014 list of awardees highlighted in this edition – to
witness its global growth. I wish to acknowledge their respective contributions whether at
national, regional or international level and we at BWF thank them for their selfless work
in developing badminton over the decades. It has been my privilege to have presented
some of them with their awards already and I look forward to more of these moments in
the months to come.
Poul-Erik Høyer
BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION
www.bwfbadminton.org
PAGE 3
in their Own wOrdS
The 19-year-old Dane, who can
even tie shoelaces without any
problem, has a strong sense of
what works for her and how best
she can negotiate her way through
life, with positive pursuits like her
university studies and her zest for
para-badminton which she started
playing at age 16 thanks to a
recruitment drive by Badminton
Denmark.
MADZLAN SAIBON hails from badminton-crazy Malaysia and has
been playing para-badminton since 2003 in his hometown.
Competing in the WH 2 sport class, he has met a lot of athletes and
other people with whom he has become friends and been able to
share his para-badminton interest.
He was among those who cheered the International Paralympic
Committee’s inclusion of badminton in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic
Games – but he fears it might be a little too late for him.
At age 39, time is not on his side but Madzlan is not giving up yet.
Having been through the low of 2010 when badminton did not receive
the nod for the Paralympic Games, he is keen to reach competitive
heights at least once.
One of the sport’s blossoming
players, Julie sees a bright future
not only for herself but for parabadminton in general with the
recent International Paralympic
Committee
announcement,
heralding badminton’s Paralympic
Games debut at Tokyo 2020.
“It’s a big step for para-badminton. I hope it will grow our sport
by attracting more fans and athletes. Right now we have to mix
categories especially in doubles. It would be great if we have enough
players so categories don’t have to mix,” noted the SU 5 competitor,
who is also hoping for more para-badminton tournaments in her
country.
On a personal level, the landmark para-badminton development will
likely require this young adult to juggle her sporting ambitions with
tertiary studies.
“At last…I was so happy to hear the news last year! But 2020 is far
from now and the qualification process will be long. It may be late for
me but I will do my best to get there.”
“I’ve got to focus on my university education – something in the
sciences – but I definitely want to continue playing. I’m not letting
para-badminton go because that’s given me so much, particularly
friends who have the same values and struggles as me,” declared
Julie who played badminton from childhood.
HELLE SOFIE SAGOY only took
up competitive para-badminton
two years ago but she has already
made a name for herself and is
eager to continue in that vein.
“Now, with this opportunity of the Paralympic Games, I’m so happy.
We’re all chatting about it and really want to go. It’s something we’ve
been waiting for so long.”
“Two members from the Norwegian
Badminton Federation, Johnny
Askevig and Ragnhild Mizda,
asked me whether I wanted to
play in these tournaments and I
said yes. I was really happy and
excited.
“I like the atmosphere and
relationship among players in all
tournaments because everyone
is really friendly. Sometimes, I feel
it is like a big family. Also, I like
to compete against people who
have the same impairment and I
love the positive attitude from all
of them,” said the Norwegian SL
4 player.
Recalling last October when she heard badminton was among the
first 16 sports included in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, the
17-year-old revealed the announcement has given her even greater
determination to experience that historic occasion.
“It was amazing news. I was happy and it helps me to dream and find
new motivation,” she said.
“I would love to take part in Paralympic Games, especially in Tokyo
which will be the first one for para-badminton. I know it’s in five
years, but for now I will try to enjoy all the tournaments and the World
Championships in England.”
It’s not unusual to see KRYSTEN COOMBS flying across the
badminton court – literally.
Competing in SS 6 for short stature athletes, he is as athletic as they
come in his Sport Class and, having been playing para-badminton
for eight years, is beginning to reap international success.
“I started playing para-badminton in 2007 at the Welsh 4 Nations
Para-Badminton Championships and my first international event was
the European Championships in Germany in 2008.
“The para-badminton circuit is a great environment. Everyone is so
friendly and everyone gets along well on and off the court. It makes
para-badminton feel like one big family. Yes, we all want to win when
we get on the court but we’re very supportive of each other and
spend a lot of time discussing things about para-badminton and how
we can do better.”
The 24-year-old Englishman has time on his side and having gotten
over the “shock” of badminton’s entrance into the Paralympic Games,
he is anticipating the journey ahead.
Born with an impairment to her left hand, JULIE THRANE has never
liked using a prosthesis. In fact, it’s when she has tried these artificial
appendages that she actually feels awkward.
“I couldn’t believe it at first. It really is a dream come true. We can
now compete at a level that other top para-athletes enjoy. I will
definitely try to qualify for Tokyo 2020.
Her rationale – simple: “I was born this way so I’m used to it. I’ve
never liked them (prostheses). They just get in the way and are
heavy. I have tried them.”
“I have been making good progress and I now have to plan for
the next four to five years. It’s a very exciting time to be in parabadminton.”
BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION
www.bwfbadminton.org
PAGE 4
rOAd tO riO: ScrAMble
fOr OlyMpic plAceS
beckOnS
Brazilians have been getting
familiar with badminton.
Can China’s Lin Dan make it
a third Olympic gold medal?
competition will be followed by a draw for
the knockout stage. An NOC can field two
players/pairs if both are ranked in the top 16
in singles and in the top 8 in doubles.
The
career-defining
opportunity
of
competing in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
starts for badminton players on 4 May 2015
and ends 1 May next year.
During this period athletes must earn
enough points to book their flight to Brazil
for the first-ever Olympics on the South
American continent. The world ranking list of
5 May 2016 will determine who makes the
cut and who misses out.
A few changes distinguish the 2016
Olympics competition from previous
editions. A maximum of two players per NOC
(National Olympic Committee) is allowed in
each event, which means the total quota for
each NOC will be 16 (8 men and 8 women)
compared to 18 at London Olympics
2012. The host’s quota is restricted to one
player in either singles categories; each
group in singles will contain a minimum of
three players, and the group stages of the
BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION
The total quota for badminton (including
Host Country places and Tripartite
Commission Invitation places) is 172. Of
this, 164 (82 each for men and women) are
qualification places; 2 are Host Country
places and six (three each for men and
women) are Tripartite Commission Invitation
places. All athletes must have played in
a minimum of three tournaments in their
respective event, counting towards the
world rankings lists, during the Olympic
qualifying period. The Tripartite Commission
awards a select number of places to help
promote the fundamental Olympic principle
of universal representation. These are
given to NOCs with few or no qualified
athletes, to participate in the Olympic
Games. These places provide the NOCs,
whenever possible, with the opportunity to
be represented at the Olympic Games by
the best athlete from their country.
The list of initially qualified athletes for each
event (including Continental Representation
places, Host Country places and Tripartite
Commission Invitation places) will be
published as part of the world ranking lists
of 5 May 2016. The lists will be used to
allocate 34 individual quota places for men
and 34 individual quota places for women
to the highest ranked athletes, respecting
the maximum quota allocation per NOC per
event. The 34 quota places will include the
Continental Representation places.
In each singles event, there will be at
least one athlete from each of the five
BWF Continental Confederations. If a
Continental Confederation has no singles
athlete qualified in an event, the highest
ranked athlete in that continent will become
eligible (a host country place is separate
from the Continental Representation place).
No NOC can qualify athletes/pairs in more
than two events through the Continental
Representation place system. If an athlete
qualifies (and is selected) in more than one
event, the resulting unused quota place will
be allotted to the next best ranked eligible
athlete of the same gender in the singles
event of the world ranking list of 5 May 2016.
The number of quota places in the three
doubles events is 48 (16 pairs each in
Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles and
Mixed Doubles), including the Continental
Representation places. No NOC can qualify
athletes/pairs in more than two events
through the Continental Representation
Place system. Each doubles event is
required to have at least one pair from each
of the five BWF Continental Confederations.
For more details on Olympic qualifying
regulations, go to:
http://bwfbadminton.org/file.aspx?
id=529944&dl=1
www.bwfbadminton.org
PAGE 5
STORY OF THE
SudirMAn cup
Dick Sudirman, in whose honour the
Sudirman Cup was instituted, was one
of the founders of PBSI (Indonesia’s
Badminton Association) and its president
for 22 years. He earned respect worldwide
as an administrator with PBSI and with
other governing bodies such as the Asian
Badminton Confederation and International
Badminton Federation.
Although his contributions to badminton
were vast, he is most remembered for his
pivotal role in helping the unification of the
world governing body. In February of 1978,
a breakaway group from the IBF – called
World Badminton Federation – was formed
and, for a while, two parallel circuits were in
operation. Badminton’s Olympic aspirations
were in danger but efforts at reconciliation
had hit several roadblocks.
Sudirman (pictured at right) had friends
in both camps and initiated an informal
meeting in Bandung between leaders of
the two federations on 28 May 1979. He
proposed the setting up of a working study
group comprising leading figures of the two
federations to find a way out of the impasse.
He also suggested friendly matches
between players of the two federations. His
proposals were accepted and formed the
basis for reconciliation efforts. Exactly two
years later, on 28 May 1981, the two world
bodies were united.
BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION
Following Sudirman’s death (from a stroke)
on 10 June 1986, his long-time friend and
PBSI Vice-President Suharso Suhandinata
wrote to IBF President Arthur Jones recalling
Sudirman’s contributions to badminton
(Suhandinata had visited Sudirman the night
before his death). In that letter of August
1986, Suhandinata suggested something
tangible be done in Sudirman’s memory
and asked if IBF would consider Indonesia’s
proposal for a competition to be instituted in
his name.
The idea was discussed at the IBF Council
meeting by Arthur Jones in 1986. By 1988
the IBF had been convinced to hold a
World Mixed Team Championships and
accepted Indonesia’s offer of the trophy.
As the calendar was tight, the IBF Council
decided the Sudirman Cup be staged in
conjunction with the World Championships,
but in alternate years.
The first Sudirman Cup was played at Bung
Karno Stadium in Indonesia from 24-29 May
1989 with 28 participating teams. It proved
extremely popular with players and fans,
and, by the eighth edition, it had built up
enough momentum to be staged as a standalone event.
This year’s Vivo BWF Sudirman Cup will be
held 10-17 May in Dongguan, China, with
the hosts defending the title they won in
2013 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
www.bwfbadminton.org
PAGE 6
whAt’S in A trOphy?
The Sudirman Cup, like the other
major trophies in badminton such
as the Thomas Cup, the Uber Cup
and the Suhandinata Cup, is an
exceptional piece of workmanship
which combines elements of
badminton and the cultural heritage
of Indonesia – the country that
donated the trophy.
Created in honour of Dick Sudirman,
the founder-President of PBSI, the
trophy is made of 22-carat goldplated solid silver.
The lid was inspired by the upper
terraces of the world-famous
Borobudur Temple in Java (pictured
below) which are adorned with
several bell-shaped domes and
open-work
stupas
containing
statues of the Buddha.
Standing 80 cm high, the trophy
is mounted on an octagonal base
made of the finest jati wood. The
body of the cup is shaped like a
shuttlecock and the handles are
shaped like stamens, symbolising
the seeds of badminton.
The trophy was made by the
Masterix Bandung Company at a
cost of US$15,000. It was presented
to
International
Badminton
Federation in May 1989.
BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION
www.bwfbadminton.org
PAGE 7
tOugher
Anti-dOping
regulAtiOnS
Protecting the rights of athletes to compete
in ‘clean sport’ is the key principle
underpinning the World Anti-Doping Code
2015 which came into effect 1 January this
year.
In line with this, BWF’s new Anti-Doping
Regulations – which came into force at the
same time – ensure a more comprehensive
and tougher approach to combatting the
possibility of doping in badminton.
These regulations have been approved by
the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and
are consistent with the World Anti-Doping
Code (2015). Doping cheats will now face
longer periods of ineligibility; there will be
more tests conducted through ‘smarter’
approaches; greater use of investigations
and intelligence; better cooperation between
international sports federations and national
anti-doping organisations; and reliance on
education for athletes to highlight the pitfalls
of doping and other unethical practices.
One of the key changes is that first-time
violators now face stiffer punishments of
four years for an anti-doping rule violation –
double the previous two-year punishment.
“This will be a deterrent particularly for
Olympic aspirants,” noted BWF Secretary
General, Thomas Lund.
“Four years is a universal timeframe. A player
caught in the middle of an Olympic cycle
will blow his or her chances of competing at
two Olympic Games and that will potentially
destroy their career.”
Another highlight is the greater capacity
to prosecute athlete support personnel
(coaches, managers, etc.) who are involved
in doping.
There will be a focus on ‘intelligent’
approaches, consisting of monitoring a
player’s biological passport maintained
under ADAMS, which is a web-based
database management system containing
laboratory
results,
therapeutic
use
exemptions (TUEs) and information on antidoping rule violations.
“The biological passport is an ongoing
medical record of an individual which shows
an athlete’s biological markers,” noted Lund.
“Monitoring the profile through urine and/
or blood sampling over time would tell us
if there are changes in biological markers
that might indicate the use of prohibited
substances.”
In preparation for the implementation of the
new WADA Code, BWF worked with external
expertise for three years (2012-2014)
on a project called ‘Intelligent Practice –
Optimising BWF’s Anti-Doping Programme’.
The focus of the project was to develop a
more effective and efficient anti-doping
programme.
The WADA Code 2015 has a number of
implications for BWF in terms of anti-doping
practices. The main ones are listed below:
INVESTIGATIONS
Emphasis on investigations and the use of intelligence in the
fight against doping.
ENTOURAGE
The ability to prosecute athlete support personnel who play a
role in doping in sport.
SMARTER TESTING
More wide-ranging, multi-pronged approach, making it less
possible for athletes to anticipate tests.
NADA/IF COOPERATION
Improved cooperation between BWF and National Anti-Doping
Agencies (NADAs). BWF and NADAs to share knowledge,
thereby strengthening information and intelligence.
VALUES-BASED EDUCATION
BWF will continue its anti-doping awareness at tournaments.
BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION
Education programmes focusing on prevention, where BWF
works in cooperation with NADAs. BWF members have to
assume responsibility for education of national players.
www.bwfbadminton.org
PAGE 8
new bAdMintOn
reSeArch underwAy
Seven projects have been awarded research grants for 2014-2015
by the BWF’s Sports Science Commission.
This is the second successive year that BWF is providing funding
for applied sports-science research in badminton. These projects
promise to illuminate important areas to both players and
associations, but which have previously received little attention from
researchers.
tOpic
Player Development and Coaching
Systems in Four Leading Badminton
Nations
inStitutiOn
The projects are:
tOpic
Relationship Between Developmental
Activity and Skill Acquisition
AreA
Sports Psychology
inStitutiOn
Leeds Metropolitan University
The venture aims to identify and examine good practice
in player development and coaching in four world-leading
badminton nations (China, Denmark, India, Indonesia, Japan
and Korea). The study will provide case studies of player
development and coaching systems, identifying principles
and models of good practice to inform system development,
opening up knowledge of good practices to other countries
and undertaking comparative analysis among systems.
Liverpool John Moores University
This project will examine the amount and types of
developmental activity engaged in by elite adult badminton
players and their association to acquire skill. As physical
preparation and fitness in badminton are relatively
homogenous for elite players, it is skill and other psychological
attributes that tend to differentiate players. While physical
preparation of players is underpinned by scientific principles,
the training of skill and psychological attributes are less so.
Scientific knowledge about the developmental activities of
elite badminton players can be used to identify sub-optimal
developmental activity and training pathways. Further, it can
be used to design optimal pathways for aspiring players
to enable them to expedite skill acquisition and achieve
expertise.
tOpic
Estimation of Energy Expenditure While
Playing Under New Scoring Systems
tOpic
Influence of Technique on Smash
Speeds and Consistency
AreA
Biomechanics and Motor Control
inStitutiOn
School of Sport, Exercise and Health
Sciences, Loughborough University
This study seeks to understand why, although modern
badminton is focused on power and attacking play, some
individuals smash the shuttle harder than others. It will also
look at the important aspect of consistency. Elite badminton
players will be studied to explain the key techniques that
influence variations in shuttle speed.
AreA
Physiology/ Match Analysis
inStitutiOn
tOpic
Department of Biomedical Sciences for
Health, University of Milan
Use of Badminton as a Tool to Improve
Health and Fitness
AreA
Exercise Physiology
This will define the physiological demands and activity
profile of badminton players during the current ‘3x21’ and
the (proposed) ‘5x11’ scoring system matches.
For the first time the relationship between HR (heart rate)
and V’O2 (maximal oxygen consumption) during badminton
specific tasks will be compared with laboratory tests in
order to validate HR as an indirect V’O2 estimation method.
Meanwhile, accelerometry will be validated as a method to
assess the energy expenditure in badminton activities. The
results of this study are expected to provide an integrated
approach for the evaluation of badminton players during
matches and training sessions.
inStitutiOn
St Mary’s University
The research will focus on the use of badminton to improve
physical-health outcomes. It will study the use of badminton
as a tool to increase people’s physical fitness levels through
weekly badminton sessions. The physical demands of the
sport and the ability for those of all experience levels to
enjoy and participate suggest badminton may be a possible
tool in increasing physical activity and improving the health
of people.
Continues on page 9
BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION
www.bwfbadminton.org
PAGE 9
Continued from page 8
tOpic
tOpic
Strength Ratios in Junior and Elite
Badminton Players
Frequency, Location and Severity of
Acute and Overuse Injuries in Junior
Players
AreA
Biomechanics, practise, training
science, sports medicine
AreA
inStitutiOn
inStitutiOn
Institute for Sport Science (Saarland
University); Olympic Training Centre
Rhineland-Palatinate; University of
Applied Sciences; Sports Medicine
Department (Diakonie-Hospital)
Faculty of Kinesiology, University of
Zagreb
Aiming to throw more light on specific strength ratios in
badminton, this initiative will also investigate whether these
values/ratios (especially shoulder and arm muscles) have
an effect on a sport-specific movement pattern such as a
smash. There are conflicting findings on the influence of
specific physical activity on strength ratios and this study
aims to address that, since strength ratios of specific muscle
groups are used with junior and elite athletes to assess the
risk of injury and to guide rehabilitation.
Continued from page 1
StAlwArtS
hOnOured
Havers and Wang top the administrative honours, both being bestowed
with the BWF’s Lifetime Achievement Award while Dr. Kassabian has
received the Distinguished Service Award and Nesbitt is the Women in
Badminton Award Winner. The achievements of two technical officials
– Mike Walker of Canada and Junichiro Yamada of Japan – have also
been recognised. Now retired BWF Umpire, Walker has been given the
Distinguished Service Award while his colleague is among 13 persons
given Meritorious Service Awards.
After his playing days, Havers served as a selector, team manager and
administrator, contributing significantly to improving the standard of
the game in his country. The establishment of the National Badminton
Centre took place during his tenure as Badminton England Chairman
(1996 to 2004). Havers received his award at the recent Yonex All
England Championships from BWF President Poul-Erik Høyer.
National head coach (1979-1993), Wang’s visionary introduction
of new coaching techniques helped China become a badminton
power. Also an active Council Member of the International Badminton
Federation (IBF) from 1984–1998, the 81-year-old was instrumental in
the development of the “Laws of Badminton”.
Sports Injuries/ Injury Prevention
This is an investigation into the specific epidemiology of
acute and overuse injuries in junior players and any possible
link possible anthropometric or motor deficiencies. The study
will deal with the frequency, location and severity of acute
and overuse injuries in junior badminton players (17 to 19
years). The most common situations of injury will be studied,
as will possible correlations between their anthropometric
status and foot alignment. Additionally, differences in
explosive strength between injured and non-injured junior
players will be evaluated. The results will contribute to the
exact planning of effective preventive training procedures in
junior players.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Wang Wenjiao (China)
John Havers (England)
Distinguished Service Award
Prof Dr Puzant Kassabian (Bulgaria)
Mike Walker (Canada) – Technical Official
Women in Badminton Award
Val Nesbitt (Australia)
Certificate of Commendation
Sports Development Foundation (Jamaica)
Meritorious Service Awards
Daniel Gosset (Belgium)
Bujung Witarsa (Brazil)
Dieter Kespohl (Germany)
Gerd Pigola (Germany)
Lung Wing Kwong (Hong Kong)
Dr Kassabian has been promoting badminton in Bulgaria and the
Balkan region since 1965. He was also head coach of the national team
for 21 years and is currently in his 23rd consecutive year as President of
the Bulgarian Badminton Association, having served Badminton Europe
and the BWF. Walker, one of BWF’s most experienced and respected
umpires, has officiated in the biggest events, including the 2004 and
2008 Olympic Games. Walker, now a BWF Umpire Assessor, received
his award during All England week in March, while 74-year-old Dr
Kassabian will be honoured at the BWF Delegates’ Gala Dinner in May.
Audley Astwood (Jamaica)
Recipient of the Women in Badminton Award, Val Nesbitt began her
badminton journey as a player at age 15. This 81-year-old life member of
Badminton Australia helped form many badminton clubs in Victoria and
started under-15 and under-17 competitions which have blossomed
into national tournaments. Nesbitt also organised several badminton
promotional events and trips.
HRH Tengku Kamil Ismail Tengku Idris Shah (Malaysia)
BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION
Dr. Kingsley Ford (Jamaica)
Marcia Ramikie-Williams (Jamaica)
Hideo Takahashi (Japan)
Junichiro Yamada (Japan) - Technical Official
Tan Sri Ir (Dr) Mohamed Al-Amin Abd Majid (Malaysia)
Wan Mohammed Haji Wan Awang (Malaysia)
www.bwfbadminton.org
PAGE 10
‘nihAO’
Shuttle tiMe
“Millions of people across the world speak
Mandarin and we can now communicate with
them through the language of badminton.”
Shuttle Time recently unveiled its 15th
language version with the translation of its
resources into Mandarin (pictured above).
This latest edition of BWF’s grassroots
schools’ programme opens a range of
possibilities for growing and spreading
badminton even further globally, as
Mandarin-speaking populations worldwide
will be able to use this key development tool.
“As an international federation it is crucial
we
provide
high-quality
educational
resources to the badminton community, in
diverse core languages. The addition of a
Mandarin Shuttle Time version will expand
the potential reach of our programme in
Asia and beyond,” noted BWF Development
Chair, David Cabello.
“There are many sports for schools
to consider when delivering physical
education and sport to pupils. Through
Shuttle Time, our aim is to make badminton
an appealing, popular and easily accessible
school sport. The provision of resources,
instructional video clips and training in
multiple languages, has been encouraging
more and more schools to teach badminton
– and this is another element of that plan.
Shuttle Time is currently available in Arabic,
English, French, German, Hungarian,
Indonesian, Italian, Mandarin, Persian,
Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Slovak,
Slovenian and Spanish – with more language
versions in production.
Meanwhile, Shuttle Time has been
extending its global footprint as it targets 90
implementations by mid-year, with African
nation, Benin, having been the 85th member
association to embrace the programme in
March with 15 tutors and 25 teachers being
trained.
When BWF’s Annual General Meeting
(AGM) takes place in tandem with the
BWF Sudirman Cup in China in May, the
international federation is hoping half its 182
members will have activated Shuttle Time.
Plans are also afoot to introduce Shuttle Time
in Cameroon, Ecuador, France, Myanmar,
Scotland, Spain, Vietnam and Wales soon.
“It’s great how our membership has
responded to this development strategy.
Shuttle Time has expanded quickly, well
beyond what we had targeted at this stage.
Now we have to reassess our plans and
how we should progress in the future,” said
Cabello.
“The demand for Shuttle Time is high but
we want to ensure our implementations
are sustainable so we need the right
infrastructure. We must have personnel
at the confederations’ level who run the
initial programmes and pass the baton to
teachers and community leaders. Then
there’s an ongoing need for equipment –
shuttles, rackets, nets and clothing – and we
have had significant help through various
partnerships and thanks to the Equipment
Donation Project during the past year.
“We are already seeing positive examples of
the impact Shuttle Time can have within our
member associations. Many of them have
seen growth in their school membership
as well as an increase in entries for junior
competitions.”
Shuttle Time was first piloted in 2011
and officially launched in 2012. The
BWF’s Strategic Plan original targeted 50
implementations by 2016. The programme
is fundamental to realising BWF’s vision of
making badminton “the most played school
sport in primary and secondary schools
worldwide”.
85 And cOunting: Benin is the latest
BWF member to implement Shuttle Time.
BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION
www.bwfbadminton.org