Badminton World Federation (BWF) celebrates International Day of Sport and Development for Peace and #Whitecard Day through transformative badminton projects, in alignment with our steadfast vision of giving every child a chance to play badminton for life,
At the core of this initiative lies BWF’s commitment to creating a legacy while supporting underprivileged communities. By engaging children in safe, fun, and inclusive badminton activities, we aim to promote physical activity and foster a love for the sport among children.
In anticipation of #Whitecard Day, BWF conducted a BWF Shuttle Time Teachers Course at Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management & Technology (TARUMT), Kuala Lumpur on 2 March 2024. The course, facilitated by Shuttle Time Tutor, Erica Khoo, saw enthusiastic participation from 13 individuals, including teachers, students, coaches, and volunteers. As Ahmad Hafidz, a newly trained Shuttle Time Teacher, aptly puts it, “Anyone can enrol in the course, whether you have a badminton background or not. The course is curated for everyone regardless of their knowledge in badminton, if you love the sport and want to contribute to the community, especially to underprivileged and children with disabilities.”
Shuttle Time Teachers course
Following the course, BWF conducted two coaching clinics in Malaysia in March 2024. The first clinic, held at 222 Sport Centre, Petaling Jaya, welcomed 33 children from local homes (Rumah Kasih Harmoni Paya Jaras and Buku Jalanan Chow Kit), with 13 volunteer coaches leading the way under the guidance of certified BWF Shuttle Time Teachers, Tracy Tan and Leong Kye Yeet. Children had the chance to engage in various activities, including learning different grips, balloon tapping, net drills, clearing exercises, balancing drills, and hitting shuttlecocks.
The second clinic took place at the TARUMT Sports Complex, where 37 children from three local homes (CWO Learning Centre, Emmanuel Praise Children Home & Charis Children Home) had the opportunity to experience the joy of badminton. Led by Lee Chia Wen and supported by Tan Jinn Hwa and Kye Yeet, all certified Shuttle Time Teachers, plus 15 volunteer coaches, the clinic featured five activity stations designed to engage and inspire young minds.
The impact of our projects resonated deeply with participants and volunteers. Mulqis bin Abdullah, a teacher from Buku Jalanan Chow Kit School, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “The BWF Shuttle Time Teachers course and Coaching Clinic were a blast. I feel confident and excited to share this amazing sport with others. I can’t wait to bring these fun and interactive lessons back to my students, making badminton accessible and enjoyable for all.”
Volunteers like Sukzanne Yong echoed Mulqis’ sentiments, emphasising the value of making a positive impact alongside fellow coaches and participants. “It’s great to see how children can benefit from this interaction and exposure, apart from their usual school activities,” Yong remarked.
Feedback from participating children further reinforces the success of our initiatives. Sarah aged 12-years-old, among others, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to learn and engage in a new sport while mingling with peers from different backgrounds.
“I liked the training sessions. The coaches were very good and respectful. I would like to thank BWF for this opportunity.”
To find out more about BWF Shuttle Time teaching, please click here.
