A new initiative to grow interest in badminton in Honduras over a three-year period has been launched by the Honduras National Badminton Federation (FENABAH in Spanish).
The badminton course through the Shuttle Time programme has changed the way the sport is taught. Following the recommendations of Shuttle Time Trainer Oscar Vera (Colombia) and the Development Director of PanAm, Juan Pablo Alvarado, FENABAH has resolved to follow best practices to implement badminton in schools and educational institutions.
Among the touching stories to come so early in this initiative was that of Doña Consuelo Portillo, mother of Moises Zambrano, a student of Physical Education at the UPNFM, with a special condition (since he was 4 he was diagnosed with left hemiparesis and currently has controlled epilepsy):
“On Friday when Moises returned from the university he told me he was very happy that Professor Oscar Vera had included him in the badminton training, I did not know what it was, but I thanked God, because we have been fighting this for many years, to such a degree that several doctors told him that it was not going to be possible for him to play sports. Now when I look at him with his shirt and his racket, I feel very proud and happy.”
Well-Planned Approach
By having trained coaches or teachers and approaching authorities at various institutions, the aim is to promote the creation of new clubs.
There is also the country’s goal of being able to increase representation at the Olympics, for which it is necessary to identify new talent.
This course is oriented to reach new teachers, coaches and new tutors between 18 and 55 years of age.
Amng the participants were:
- Three athletes from Special Olympics (who help the International Trainer to show in real time the themes and topics for this special group).
- 1 Professor with special condition, who can become the first Para badminton Athlete-Professor in future.
- 33 per cent of participants were women.
The pedagogical and practical part of the course took place in the Universidad Pedagógica Nacional “Francisco Morazán” and in the Olimpic Ville, both institutions in Tegucigalpa.
The National Honduran Badminton Federation (FENABADH), has relaunched Shuttle Time, and plans to develop the sport across the country. This will include updating the skillsets of teachers/tutors so that they can transfer their knowledge to children and young people at their institutions.
The emphasis is on the players having fun in their school and communities, embracing inclusion and healthy competition, and ensure pathways so that the young athletes can represent their communities and country.
The implementation strategy will start in the regions where Shuttle Time has been conducted (areas like the capital city Tegucigalpa) and will progress to municipalities in the north coast.
Positive Responses
Edna Núnez, Extension Professor of the UPNFM and President of Special Olympics, Honduras:
“The most important thing is that badminton worked a lot on inclusion, so also as Special Olympics we make ourselves available to work together with the BWF, Pan Am Confederation and the National Federation to work together to provide opportunities through this sport.”
Miriam Güity Flores, PE teacher from Garifuna communities in Santa Fé, Colón:
“After the Shuttle Time course, I am very happy for my community and villages where I teach. Expectations were low at the beginning, but now I have many more ideas and training to transmit badminton in my community of Colón.”
Alejandro Rivera, professor of Physical Education in the capital city:
“With the presence of highly relevant coaches in sports, we feel extremely satisfied with the knowledge and then being able to transmit it. We hope that badminton resurfaces in Honduras, it is already an extremely important and beautiful sport for the development of new generations, it is an Olympic sport and that gives it a special seal.”
