Para badminton athletes and coaches from Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Kuwait, Yemen, Pakistan, and UAE are taking part in a Para badminton Technical Workshop in Sharjah, UAE this weekend as a precursor to the 7th IWAS World Games starting on Sunday.
The initiative is supported by the AGITOS Foundation, the development arm of International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
The aim is to provide opportunities for players, coaches, classifiers and other technical officials, tournament organisers and administrators in Para badminton to grow the sport in the region.
Several activities will be conducted during the week including:
• Player Development Camp
• Coaches Workshop
• National Classifier Workshop
• Classification of New Players
BWF Vice President Para Badminton, Paul Kurzo – a former wheelchair badminton player and an instrumental figure in Para badminton’s development – said it was great to see the development of Para badminton taking place in the West Asia region.
“I would like to thank the Agitos Foundation, UAE Badminton and Table Tennis Federation, the IWAS World Games Organising Committee and our team of BWF experts for their hard work and effort to deliver this workshop,” he said.
“I hope all these activities will further develop the sport in this region and on the continent, and we will see more countries and players taking part in Para badminton events in the coming years.”
BWF staff and officials address players and coaches at opening of workshop.
With Para badminton making its debut at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, the BWF is committed to the development of the sport globally.
This includes identifying talented athletes and developing these athletes towards Paralympic Games qualification.
Xavier Gonzalez, Deputy Chairperson of the Agitos Foundation Executive Committee, added: “Training camps like this delivered by the BWF are essential to ensure that athletes, coaches, and classifiers have the opportunity to learn and exchange experiences on their road to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
“The Agitos Foundation is proud to support this sport technical course and contribute to the development of Para badminton in West Asia.”
Asian Paralympic Committee Sports Manager, Shaun Lee, said the workshops provided an equal opportunity for all countries to be involved in badminton.
“Projects like the one supported by the BWF and AGITOS Foundation help to build more technical knowledge and experience and allow all countries to be involved in Para badminton, particularly in those countries that may not have the resources or expertise to develop themselves,” he said.
“We are pleased to see so many countries and female participants involved in this project.”
The 7th IWAS World Games runs from 10-17 February with Para badminton one of seven sports. It is the second time the event has been held in Sharjah, following on from 2011.
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