“In 2009, the Badminton Association of Serbia began the preparation and implementation of the idea of including badminton in the school curriculum in the form of an optional subject – the chosen sport. The application of this model was started in the elementary school “Jefimija” in Obrenovac, and over the years it became generally accepted and applicable in schools throughout Serbia. At that time, the Badminton World Federation started the preparation of the global “Shuttle Time” project for the development of school badminton. We formally got involved in the implementation of this capital BWF project, as a logical upgrade of the successfully started national one. For more than a decade, with the support of the Badminton World Federation, the Badminton Europe Confederation and the Ministry of Sports of the Republic of Serbia and close cooperation with the Faculty of Sports and Physical Education of the University of Belgrade, we have been realizing free training courses for physical education teachers and sports faculty students, equipping primary and secondary schools as well as dormitories, educating tutors and instructors and providing all necessary logistical support with the aim of developing and popularizing badminton among schoolchildren. With the help of modern tools, including an online application and all materials in the Serbian language, everyone could “enter the world of badminton” in the most simplified way and be able to apply it in the form of school activities.” – said Radomir Jovović, President of the Badminton Association of Serbia’s Executive Board.
In the past period, more than 15 courses at the national level were successfully implemented with the participation of almost 400 participants, equipping more than 100 schools and dormitories from over 50 cities and towns, donating hundred’s of sets of badminton equipment and activating more than 20,000 students and teaching staff.
