Dear Members and Continental Confederations

Please find below an update on AirBadminton. Please forward this to all relevant people in your organisation.

1. PROJECT UPDATE We are happy to announce that BWF has signed an agreement with a manufacturer based in Chinese Taipei for the mass production of the AirShuttle. The production process has already begun and the first batch of AirShuttles will be available in March 2020.

With the AirShuttle on the market, we look forward to working closely with the Continental Confederations and Member Associations to implement and spread the project globally.

Samples of the AirShuttle will be made available to Member Associations who express interest in organising a pilot AirBadminton activity. In order for us to evaluate the global demand and plan the distribution properly, please complete the following survey (link).

The survey also includes request for information which will enable us to better understand the needs of each country and the type of activities Member Associations are looking to organise.

BWF will do its best to accommodate AirShuttle requests according to countries. However, please note that allocation will be confirmed based on availability. Additional AirShuttles will be available for purchase from manufacturers after March.

Please complete the survey no later than 14 February 2020

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2. LATEST AIRBADMINTON ACTIVITIES In 2019, the BWF, in collaboration with Member Associations, ran AirBadminton activities that enabled us to finetune relevant aspects of the game, as well as further test the performance of the AirShuttle.

▪ During the summer, Nederland ran a number of AirBadminton activities across the country. The rollout was an opportunity to introduce the new outdoor game to different cities, as well as promote the health benefits of badminton to local communities. The initiative was very well received by participants, spectators and local city authorities. Badminton Nederland is already planning to repeat the experience in 2020.

A video from the event can be watched here.

▪ In August, a pilot AirBadminton competition was organised at the Sunsets Kuopio Festival – the largest outdoor sport and entertainment event in Finland. The event was conducted in collaboration with Badminton Finland and Savon Sulka Club. More than 60 players from all over Finland participated in the three-day tournament, which showcased 108 exciting matches in all categories: men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, mixed doubles, and the new triples format.

A video from the event can be watched here.

▪ Last October, the Dubai Sports Council hosted an AirBadminton competition as part of the Dubai International Challenge 2019. It was an opportunity for the BWF to validate equipment, regulations and competition formats.

A video from the event can be watched here.

Also in October, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) conducted an AirBadminton exhibition in conjunction with Malaysia's National Sports Month.

▪ In November, Maldives introduced the AirBadminton project during its first Beach Games. The AirBadminton exhibition aimed at targeting sport and tourism partners to implement the new game in islands resorts. Also in November, the Singapore Badminton Association ran an AirBadminton event alongside the Singapore Youth International Series 2019.

A video from the event can be watched here. ______

3. HSBC BWF AIRBADMINTON COMMUNITY PROJECT LAUNCH BWF and HSBC jointly launched the AirBadminton Community Project at the Tianhe Gymnasium in , in December. This project was facilitated by our local partners Guangzhou Sports Bureau and Guangzhou Badminton Association.

Following the successful launch of AirBadminton in Guangzhou in May, BWF together with its Global Development Partner HSBC and Guangzhou Sports Bureau, announced the delivery of a number of permanent AirBadminton courts on various surfaces for public usage as part of the community outreach programme.

The first of these courts were unveiled at a special exhibition near the Tianhe Gymnasium in Guangzhou, China, in conjunction with the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals.

A video from the launch can be watched here. ______

4. 2020 - 2024 BWF Strategic Plan - AirBadminton Will include the following elements as priorities: ▪ Systematic implement AirBadminton globally, focussing on the development of courts in public outdoor spaces to facilitate participation. ▪ Permanent courts being developed as legacy in conjunction with international events. ▪ Develop national structures, including competition, to assist in promoting the game as a healthy outdoor activity. ▪ Build partnerships and networks to assist the growth and implementation of projects. ▪ Work with brands and retailers to ensure the AirShuttle and associated equipment is available globally at an affordable price. ▪ CCs to have AirBadminton as an integral part of their development strategy. ▪ Further research into the specific health benefits of AirBadminton. ______

5. AIRBADMINTON IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES In February, BWF will share the AirBadminton Implementation Guidelines. The aim of the document will be to assist Member Associations with the systematic implementation of the game. Frequently asked questions will be answered and various implementation options will be included. ______

6. AIRBADMINTON LANGUAGES AND PROMO MATERIAL The AirBadminton information on the BWF Development section is now available in English, Spanish, French, and Chinese. The information can be accessed through this website: www.airbadminton.sport

Promotional material and QR codes – to redirect people to the AirBadminton section – are also available for each of the above language. If you wish to receive these materials, please send an email to [email protected] ______

7. AIRBADMINTON BRAND GUIDELINES To assist with the promotion of the game, BWF has produced the AirBadminton Brand Guidelines. The main purpose of this document is to act as a guide for all future usage of the AirBadminton logo.

This is designed to assist in achieving consistency when in the hands of customers, colleagues, business partners and suppliers alike.

Member Associations are welcome to use the AirBadminton identity elements to promote local AirBadminton activities. For approvals, please email [email protected]

To view the Brand Guidelines, Logos and promotional photos, please go to: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8qw0a6326xct1l6/AAAfBJqJ_K6CAx9fIvNZqU1ba?dl=0

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Please contact Rodrigo Pacheco, BWF Development Manager, if you have any questions on the enclosed - [email protected]

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31 January 2020