To date, 104 Member Associations have received their first sums of money under the BWF Membership Grants Programme, which was activated in 2021.
Around US$520,000 have been distributed so far, out of a long-term project investment pool planned for used across 2020-2024.
The programme provides opportunities for Member Associations to access tailored support, to assist them in developing badminton in their country.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and current restrictions on international travel and activities, BWF took the decision to adjust the programme to meet the current needs of Member Associations, particularly those impacted by the pandemic.
BWF recognises the continued challenges and significant impacts of the pandemic, and implemented an extension of the Back-to-Badminton for the BWF Membership Grants Programme 2021.
Member Associations will had until March 31, 2022 to deliver and report all activities approved as part of the programme.
If circumstances allow, we will revert to the areas of development identified above for the Membership Grants Programme 2022, as originally planned, with a specific package of support, training and resources being offered to each eligible Member Association.
Please note that eligibility for the Membership Grants Programme 2022 will be based on Member Associations meeting all reporting obligations relating to the programme in 2021.
Several countries across the globe were highlighted for the national activities they delivered in as a result of the programme in 2021/2022. Kiribati in Oceania was one of them.
Kiribati
Shuttle Time and AirBadminton were successfully delivered in the Pacific Islands by the amazing team of volunteers from the Kiribati Badminton Federation, from September to December, 2021. Three Shuttle Time Teacher courses were delivered, with 48 Teachers educated; one Shuttle Time Youth Leadership workshop saw 20 students/youths trained; 19 schools from five communities were engaged, and 500 participants joined the Shuttle Time activities.
On top of that, five AirBadminton activations were delivered in five communities – Bangantebure, Betio, Bairiki, Nuka and Korobu – with an estimated 200 participants experiencing the outdoor game, many for the first time.
Article adapted from the Badminton Oceania website.