WORLD SHUTTLOCTOBER 2014 - JANUARY 2015 / EDITION ENO. 8

highlights

New-look season; new superseries break (PAGE 4)

shuttling through 2014 (PAGE 9)

key dates

13-18 January Sunrise Masters 2015 (Grand Prix Gold),

20-25 January Syed Modi International Championships 2015 (Grand Prix Gold),

12-15 February 2015 European Mixed Team BWF President Poul-Erik Høyer (left) and Total Marketing & Services Asia Pacific, Senior Vice President, Championships, Leuven (Belgium) François Dehodencq, exchange corporate gifts to mark the new partnership.

12-15 February X-TRM Oceania Championships 2015,

24 February Yonex 2015 (Grand Prix -01 March Gold), Mulheim an der Ruhr TOTAL AND BWF 03-08 March Yonex All Open Badminton – NEW ENERGY IN BADMINTON Championships 2015 (Superseries The Badminton World Premier), Federation (BWF) and energy giant, Total, have announced 10-15 March 2015, a landmark multi-million-dollar partnership from 2015 until 2018 covering both BWF Major Yonex Sunrise Open 2015 Events and the MetLife BWF 24-29 March (Superseries), World Superseries. This deal will see Total assume 31 March-05 April Maybank Malaysia Open 2015 title sponsorship for all BWF (Superseries Premier), Major Events – starting with this year’s TOTAL BWF World Championships in , – and including the TOTAL BWF Thomas & Finals and the TOTAL BWF . It breaks new ground for Total which mainly focuses its branding activities on the arena. Welcoming Total to the international badminton family and highlighting common characteristics such as powerful performance, technologically advanced precision and especially endurance - key product values of Total – BWF President Poul-Erik Høyer hailed the new sponsorship a “natural fit”, adding “it is significant that one of the major players in the global energy industry will now be partnering with badminton – the fastest racket sport which also requires incredible stamina”.

“I am proud to announce this partnership with a global company like Total, entrusting badminton to convey its corporate message and values. I am convinced badminton will also benefit from this association with Total’s strong principles and corporate profile.

“Both badminton and Total are expanding globally and share core values such as equal opportunity, local integration and continued innovation. It is a partnership that appeals to us on a strong philosophical level and reflects how we want to portray badminton in the corporate marketplace. BWF looks forward to a long and fruitful relationship with our newest partner.” HAPPY Noting badminton’s growing mass appeal, Total Marketing & Services Asia Pacific, Senior Vice President, François Dehodencq said: “We are very pleased to be the first global energy company to partner with BWF to promote the badminton sport. The suite of world-class events which BWF hosts represent the best of individual NEW YEAR and team competition, and feature elite athletes from across the world. Moreover, almost 80% of the Olympic badminton medalists hail from Asia Pacific, a region where Total is committed to grow our presence.” Total Marketing & Services Asia Pacific, Specialties Vice President, Stéphane Lagrue elaborated further: “Total is committed to delivering outstanding performance and endurance of car engines with TOTAL QUARTZ lubricants and identifies the badminton sport as a game of athletic endurance, alongside our globally active role in performance and endurance motorsports. 2015 “This package of tournaments stands at the pinnacle of international badminton, with strong public interest particularly from this region. We look forward to being associated with such well-established sporting events and working with BWF to promote badminton to the benefit of both parties.” BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION www.bwfbadminton.org PAGE 2 editorial

Dear Colleagues and Friends

May I begin by wishing you all a Happy New Year as I look forward to the continued growth of our sport throughout the 180 member associations of the Badminton World Federation. The past year was again marked by significant developments in various spheres which have given us an even stronger platform on which carry forward our strategic plans and programmes as we get into Olympic mode again, with the Rio 2016 Summer Games just a year away now.

That will be of primary focus for our elite athletes – many of whom distinguished themselves in top competition during 2014 – as we begin qualification for the Olympics in May. We can expect the “Race to Rio” to provide great excitement as players and fans alike keep watch to see who is in the running.

Our para-badminton athletes will also be getting into countdown mode as they happily Poul-Erik Høyer prepare for their historic, inaugural participation in the Paralympic Games in BWF President 2020. Para-badminton’s inclusion on the International Paralympic Committee’s Sports Programme - and among the first 16 sports – was a humbling and joyous occasion for the entire BWF family. It is an achievement of which we should all be proud, especially the members of our para-badminton community who have worked tirelessly to make this dream a reality. There will be much to do in the years leading up to Tokyo 2020 but, with our commitment and enthusiasm buoyed by the IPC’s decision, I know we are invigorated to work even harder.

On an equally positive note, we have just enjoyed the first BWF Destination Dubai World Superseries Finals and I believe all who attended this event were impressed by the professionalism and world-class standards which they experienced. The players – for whom the Finals are a well-earned reward for a successful season – openly shared their appreciation and delight on social media and in person. That’s the surest sign that we are on the right track and I wish to thank our partners, Falcon and Associates as well as Dubai Sports Council, for a great start to this four-year agreement.

Additionally, I would like to thank all of BWF’s corporate partners, as well as our media partner - IMG Media – for their support and we look forward to continuing our work with them over the coming seasons. Special mention goes to MetLife, the title sponsors of our flagship BWF World Superseries circuit, who came on board in 2014 and whom we are delighted to have with us for another three years. In that regard, it is timely for me to welcome Total to the international badminton family. An agreement of this magnitude speaks volumes and we are pleased that this global energy giant has determined badminton is a good fit for its commercial aspirations and growth, particularly in Asia Pacific. We anticipate a long and fruitful relationship with our newest partner and indeed the new title sponsor of BWF Major Events.

This is a wonderful start to 2015 and, as we chart our plans for the coming months, I trust there will be more good news to share as the season progresses.

Poul-Erik Høyer

BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION www.bwfbadminton.org PAGE 3 Para-Badminton: Integrating Tournaments and Development

Spain, before moving on to the Para- Badminton International in from 13- 17 May. A month later, Dublin hosts the Irish Para-Badminton International 24-28 June while the 2nd Indonesia Para-Badminton International takes place in Solo from 5-9 August.

“Para-badminton is growing at a strong pace and we have increasing interest from countries in hosting events and we now have to see how best to arrange the annual calendar to the maximum benefit of players and also the development aspects of para- badminton,” noted BWF Secretary General, . ’s Para-Badminton Coach, Kaity Hall, delivered BWF workshops in for coaches (pictured at right) and in Cuba for coaches and players (participants pictured at left). “We have a good spread of events for 2015 and we are planning various developmental activities, such as a Stage 1 International The recent and upcoming combination of 1 International Classifiers, and this included Classifier training course, to be held in tournaments and development activities is the first-hand perspectives from Classifiers. conjunction with one of the International latest and surest sign that para-badminton is tournaments in Europe or at the World on a sound pathway towards its debut in the Further development initiatives are taking Championships. We’re trying to take as 2020 Paralympic Games. place in January in Africa (Uganda) and much advantage as possible of gatherings Asia (Malaysia). The Uganda forum early in of the para-badminton community to stage The announcement last October that the month focused on developing players’ our development programmes as it’s a badminton athletes with impairments have a skills and knowledge of para-badminton and natural fit.” chance to realise their dreams of competing on building the quality of para-badminton at the highest level came amid a flurry of coaching by sharing ideas to enhance para-badminton action, with continental coaching practice. Later in the month (22-25 championships either on the horizon or January), Malaysia will host a Para-Badminton having just taken place in Asia (Korea), Training Camp along with a BWF research Europe () and Pan America (Cuba) project to gather data from 20 athletes in the while various development programmes were SL 3 and SL 4 Sport Classes. This is part of happening around the world. BWF’s ongoing goal to have an evidence- based classification system underpinned Para-badminton has been evolving on by research data. The research project multiple fronts, with a developing tournament has a multi-disciplined approach using circuit and a strong focus on introducing biomechanics, kinesiology, and physiology. interested persons to the requirements of The training camp will bring ten coaches and becoming technical officials, classifiers and 20 players together to share expertise and to other support staff and ensuring players train and work together to enhance practice. understand the classification process for international competitions. On the courts, the 2015 season will be busy for para-badminton players with a good mixture In December, development workshops of international tournaments scheduled were held in Canada, Cuba and . In across Asian and European countries. the latter, BWF used the opportunity of the Additionally, the BWF Para-Badminton World Para-Badminton National Championships in Championships 2015 – soon to be announced Toulouse to inform players about classification formally – will again bring together the crème and the requirements to play in an international de la crème of competitors to vie for the title of tournament to get their official international World Champion in the latter half of the year. classification. There was also an awareness Indonesia’s high-flying Suryo Nugroho created workshop for medical professionals who were Action begins with V Spanish Para-Badminton a stir at the . interested in training to become BWF Level International set for 25-29 March in Alcudia,

Para-Badminton for 2020 Paralympic Games Last 7 October was a historic day as badminton was named among IPC President Sir Philip Craven said: “Our aim is to ensure the final the first 16 sports included in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 programme is fresh and features the sports programme. best para-sports possible. I would like to congratulate…badminton, who after missing out four years ago, submitted a very strong application.” The full list released by the International Paralympic Committee’s Governing Board was as follows: athletics, archery, badminton, Meanwhile, BWF President Poul-Erik Høyer was elated at the news, boccia, equestrian, , , rowing, shooting, sitting stating “this is a landmark opportunity for athletes with impairments volleyball, swimming, table tennis, triathlon, wheelchair basketball, in the badminton community” and “we are humbled and honoured wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis. by this decision that will bring joy to so many of our players”.

BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION www.bwfbadminton.org PAGE 4

New-look Season; New Superseries Break Defending BWF Sudirman Cup champions – China – will seek to retain the World Mixed Team title on home turf in Dongguan in May.

The 2015 MetLife BWF World Superseries tour begins two months later than usual and with one of the most prestigious tournaments – the Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships. This new-look schedule – set to start with the famous event in Birmingham, England, in March – will afford elite players a two- month break in January and February to recuperate, rest and refresh themselves before the hectic season ahead. This hiatus is not the only change to which players, officials and fans will have to get accustomed as there have been some changes in the sequence of the calendar, though the World Superseries circuit remains at 12 tournaments. The All England will be followed by the Yonex-Sunrise (24-29 March) and thereafter the Maybank Malaysia Open (31 March- 5 April) and the Open from 7-12 April. The next World Superseries event will be the Australian Open slated for 26-31 May, followed by the Indonesia Open (2-7 June). Indonesia’s and will be aiming to defend their All England After a two-month gap in July and August, title when the MetLife BWF World Superseries gets the World Superseries tour resumes with the going in March. Yonex Open from 8-13 September. That event will now be paired with the – previously held in January – which those knocking on the doors of the elite previous Grand Prix tournaments in New is now rescheduled for 15-20 September. ranks. Twenty-two Level 3 tournaments Zealand and Korea have been upgraded to The Yonex Open (13-18 October) – nine Grand Prix and 13 GPG – have Grand Prix Gold status. and the Yonex French Badminton Open (20- been distributed evenly throughout the 25 October) have retained their traditional year, providing plenty of opportunities for Those participating in Level 4 events can back-to-back slots. upcoming players to break into the upper expect to be in action through the year, with echelons. 28 International Challenge, 24 International The last leg of the series consists of the Series and four Future Series events already (10-15 November) and the Hong The Grand Prix events are (in chronological fixed and more expected to confirm. Kong Open Badminton Championships (17- order): Canada, , , Chinese 22 November). The second edition of the , Dutch, Scotland, , USA GP The two Major Events in 2015 are the BWF BWF Destination Dubai World Superseries (new in 2014) and Mexico. Meanwhile, the World Championships and the Sudirman Finals will wrap up the World Superseries Grand Prix Gold events are (in chronological Cup. While the Sudirman Cup is scheduled for 2015 but will be held a week earlier than order): , Syed Modi India for 10-17 May in Dongguan, China, the 2014, with the season showdown scheduled International, , , China World Championships are slated for 10-16 for 9-13 December in the desert city. Masters, , USA, Chinese August in Jakarta, Indonesia. Lima, Peru, will Taipei, , Bitburger, , host the BWF World Junior Championships The Level 3 tournament circuit (Grand and . Fans will from 4-15 November and Helsingborg, Prix and Grand Prix Gold) will see a few notice that the Thailand Open GPG, which , will stage the BWF World Senior additions, making the year a busy one for was cancelled last season, is back while Championships from 20-26 September.

BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION www.bwfbadminton.org PAGE 5 Shuttle Time Celebrates 80th Implementation BWF’s Shuttle Time programme recently reached important milestones in the Caribbean, celebrating its 75th and 80th implementations in Saint Lucia and Cuba respectively. This means almost half of BWF’s 180 member associations have now received this schools-based grassroots training which helps teachers develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to plan and deliver safe and fun badminton lessons to children. BWF’s vision is to make badminton “the most played school sport in primary and secondary schools worldwide”.

In Cuba, persons from 16 provinces plus SHUTTLE TIME: CUBA two representatives from Manuel Fajardo Sports University – at which the Shuttle Time pilot was hosted – participated in the programme. The course was organised by are now enrolled in an online training course the Cuba Badminton Association (President monitored by Mr. Astwood,” said President Miguel Diaz Fernandez and staff) and was of the Saint Lucia Badminton Association, supported by the national sports institute Myrtle Alexander. and UNICEF. Theory and practical sessions New Zealand recently conducted two were delivered by course instructor Professor “We are pleased about our potential in Shuttle Time programmes – at Badminton Adrian Gomez while local badminton badminton and we will be seeking to bring North Harbour’s headquarters and in and top Pan American Men’s Singles player, in some players from neighbouring islands Invercargill, South Islands. Badminton New Osleni Guerrero, shared the story of how he for a regional competition.” Zealand recently announced that 42,423 got involved in badminton and his progress New Zealand students took part in Shuttle and current plans. Elsewhere, Time in 2014. has innovatively divided Shuttle Time’s curriculum into three segments to propel “The Shuttle Time programme is so well its implementation in schools: bronze resourced and researched that delivery (fundamental movement skills); silver is the easiest part,” said Badminton New (technical skills) and gold (tactical skills). Zealand National Development Manager, Nick Chambers. “The programme gives coaches and teachers the knowledge they need to be confident in delivering a fun and effective experience. Across New Zealand this programme has been adopted in positive ways and coaches, teachers, students, Sports Trusts and other organisations are very impressed with it; how it is accessed and in turn delivered.” Shuttle Time has progressed rapidly since its first pilot in 2011. The programme was officially launched in 2012 and the target in BWF’s Strategic Plan was to have 50 implementations by 2016. As coaches and tutors reach out to thousands of children across the world, Shuttle Time has become one of the most active school sport “This is an example of how Shuttle Time programmes in the world. can be flexible and adapted to various circumstances,” said BWF Development Shuttle Time currently has 15 language SHUTTLE TIME: NIGERIA Director, Ian Wright. “It may be a format versions, over 750 trained tutors, over 4000 that other member associations want to online registrations and over 440,000 views emulate.” for its videos. In total, 30 teachers and 21 tutors were trained and will now be responsible for spreading their badminton knowledge to other teachers and introducing children to the sport. In the longer term, the aim is to have badminton played in provincial games and then national games where talented youth may be recruited to the national youth team and follow in world-ranked No.49 Guerrero’s footsteps. Meanwhile, Shuttle Time was conducted in five Saint Lucian schools, with President of the Caribbean Badminton Regional Confederation Audley Astwood training local teachers and pupils. He also met with the country’s Minister of Youth Development and Sports Shawn Edward to discuss Saint Lucia’s adoption of badminton as a competitive sport. The minister welcomed the introduction of badminton into schools and expressed his ministry’s support for the programme. Noting badminton has been played in the country previously, Astwood explained the goal now is to get Saint Lucian players to a competitive level. Following Astwood’s six-day stint, Shuttle Time was introduced to more schools, resulting in 11 schools and about 240 students receiving practical demonstrations and basic training in the programme. “The respective PE teachers of those schools The amount of equipment provided to BWF members for Shuttle Time so far.

BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION www.bwfbadminton.org PAGE 6 Dubai Toasts Best of 2014

showed why she is highly rated as a star of the future by retaining the Most Promising Player of the Year award which she won for 2013. A runner-up at the China Open by capturing the honours as the 2014 Superseries Premier and silver medallist at outstanding players. the Youth in , the 17-year-old also featured in Japan’s Uber Long, 25, copped the Male Player of Cup accomplishment in which they were Even before the first shuttle was served in the Year prize; having won his first Men’s runners-up to China. the Dubai desert, some of badminton’s best Singles , two World were walking away with major trophies. Superseries titles and performed creditably BWF Secretary General Thomas Lund throughout the year. commended all nominees and emphasised The BWF Player of the Year Awards – the that players’ interests are of the highest federation’s annual nod to the season’s top His team-mate Zhao was chosen Female priority for BWF. As a result, players are performers – were announced at the Gala Player of the Year following her outstanding increasingly being rewarded handsomely for Dinner for the BWF Destination Dubai World double-gold run at the Li-Ning BWF World their efforts. At the same time, he reminded Superseries Finals. Championships, wresting both the Women’s them of their obligations towards media, Doubles and Mixed Doubles crowns, and sponsors and fans and disclosed that Fierce competitors like China’s seven victories on the World Superseries players and pairs in the top ten are being and (above, left), as well as circuit – three with and four with rewarded with a USD 400,000 jackpot. This, Japan’s blossoming , Nan. The 28-year-old was also he explained, will be shared among the hardly need incentive beyond the glory of instrumental in China’s Uber Cup defence. players based on their participation in media success to strive for excellence. However, and sponsorship obligations such as press this stellar trio received a timely boost Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi (above, right), the conferences, publicity events and official ahead of the season-ending tournament two-time reigning World Junior champion, functions.

Male Player Female Player Most Promising of the Year of the Year Player of the nominees nominees Year nominees • Chen Long • Li Xuerui • (F) • Lee Yong Dae • • He Bing Jiao (F) • Dan • Shixian • Lin Gui Pu (M) • Yoo Yeon Seong • • Rosyita Eka Putri Sari (F) • • Zhao Yunlei • Akane Yamaguchi (F)

BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION www.bwfbadminton.org PAGE 7 Final-ly – Glory

Mixed Doublesfo winners r Lee & Yoo! Men’s Singles winner

Men’s Doubles winners Women’s Singles winner Women’s Doubles winners

Tai Tzu Ying picked up where she left off Long took home the Men’s Singles crown – last December and Korea’s Men’s Doubles 21-16 21-10 over Denmark’s Hans-Kristian titans finally got their hands on a big title Vittinghus – and the unstoppable Zhang Nan MD – Lee Yong Dae/Yoo Yeon Seong (KOR) beat /Hong as the 2014 season closed with the BWF and Zhao Yunlei wrested Mixed Doubles Wei (CHN) 19-21 21-19 21-16 Destination Dubai World Superseries Finals. honours. The World champions defeated younger team-mates and Bao WD - /Ayaka Lee Yong Dae and Yoo Yeon Seong were Yixin, 21-15 21-12, in 41 minutes. Takahashi (JPN) beat Tian Qing/ Zhao Yunlei (CHN) 21-17 21-14 perilously close to losing their third major final before squeezing through 19-21 21-19 Meanwhile, last year’s Finals runner-up in MS – Chen Long (CHN) beat Hans- 21-16 versus China’s blossoming pair, Chai Women’s Singles – Tai Tzu Ying – went a Kristian Vittinghus (DEN) 21-16 21- Biao and . The world No.1 duo held step better, capturing the title from Sung Ji 10 their nerve to avoid similar disappointment Hyun of Korea. The player WS –Tai Tzu Ying (TPE) beat Sung to their narrow losses in the finals of the won comfortably, 21-17 21-12. In Women’s Ji Hyun (KOR) 21-17 21-12 BWF World Championships and the Asian Doubles, Japan’s Misaki Matsutomo and Games. pulled off a stunning upset XD – Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei (CHN) beat Liu Cheng/ (CHN) 21- against World champions, Tian Qing and 15 21-12 China still had lots to celebrate as Chen Zhao Yunlei, with a 21-17 21-14 victory.

BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION www.bwfbadminton.org PAGE 8 Key Meetings En-‘Gulf’ Dubai

BWF officials, including President Poul-Erik Høyer (centre), and representatives of badminton associations in theArabian Gulf.

Representatives of five Gulf countries – Bahrain, Dubai, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia – attended the BWF Gulf Region Development Forum where BWF officials showcased initiatives such as Shuttle Time, Coach Education, the World Academy of Sport’s courses and various BWF incentives for members. Held on the sidelines of the BWF Destination Dubai World Superseries Finals in December, the two-day meeting also allowed participants to build partnerships and look at how they can work together on regional These women pay rapt attention in the BWF tournaments, training camps and Gulf Region Development Forum. other developmental goals to spur badminton’s growth among Gulf states. “It was a rich experience. We learned Badminton associations in the Arabian a lot about BWF, especially the Gulf region have been briefed first- programmes that can be used to help Tournament officials listening to a hand about the BWF’s development to develop badminton in countries presentation. programmes and membership benefits from the Gulf region,” said Secretary while getting an opportunity to see the General of Saudi Arabia Badminton world’s best players in action. Association, Dr. Yousif Al-thobaiti. “I was impressed with a lot of information and ideas that Presented in the workshop and many of these ideas as suitable to apply in the Gulf environment. The workshop was a great opportunity to meet with officials of the International Federation, as well as our brothers in the Gulf to activate badminton in this area. Many thanks to BWF for bringing everyone together.” Similar sentiments were echoed by Secretary General of Bahrain Badminton Association, Hisham Alabbasi, “This was an excellent opportunity to bring together badminton associations from the Gulf region and to open up communication links. We will now utilise BWF development programmes such as Shuttle Time and Coach Education to help us grow the sport in our own BWF Deputy President Gustavo Salazar Delgado (right) attended the Gulf meeting along with BWF countries. I hope we can come together and organise a Gulf Cup Badminton Development officials Ian Wright (left) and John Shearer. Competition in 2015.”

Continues on page 9

BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION www.bwfbadminton.org Continued from page 8 PAGE 9 Chair of Development David Cabello noted that having the World Superseries Finals in Dubai was a “perfect opportunity for other Gulf nations to see badminton at its best” while also interacting with BWF officials to learn how the international federation functions and what developmental avenues may benefit them. “Having our Superseries Finals in Dubai is a wonderful mechanism to popularise badminton throughout this region and this year we have started by inviting our colleagues from other Gulf countries to come and see what we are doing and to discuss how we can help them develop badminton in their own nations. There are some good ideas which we look forward to seeing come to fruition.”

BWF tournament hosts meeting in Dubai.

Alastair Ruxton of Falcon and Associates addresses the hosts’ meeting.

Meanwhile next-door hosts of BWF World Superseries and BWF Grand Prix Gold tournaments met with officials from BWF Events Department to discuss the 2015 season and plans for further development of badminton Nippon Badminton Association and Chinese Taipei Badminton Association representatives. events. Among the topics was a review of 2014; a look at strategic objectives, best practices and innovative sports presentation; and a briefing on television-production requirements. progress further”. “We’re planning to tour to observe other events and see what other hosts do. “It’s important to share information and Noting the Yonex Open Japan will We want to grow and make the French hear what other hosts are doing and be aiming “to improve its sports Open better but within what we can discuss how we organise tournaments presentation and attract more manage because we have a compact and ask questions. We are all working sponsorship”, he expressed particular towards achieving the same goals and interest ’s use of venue. This has been a great learning maybe we need these meetings more LED (light-emitting diode) technology at experience for me. It’s my first time here than once a year,” observed Boris the Li-Ning BWF World Championships and it was very interesting,” he said. Reichel, representing organisers of the last August; a development which German Open. could become more prominent in future Tournament Director for the Australian badminton events. Open, Loke Poh Wong, stated that, Secretary General of Nippon despite a good inaugural World Badminton Association, Shigemitsu Director of Communication, Marketing Superseries in last June, Imai, stated most hosts work somewhat & Event Management of the French Badminton is keen to learn in isolation and “don’t know about each Badminton Federation, Pascal more because “we are newcomers to other’s tournaments so this is a good Bildstein, said that member association this level”. opportunity to share ideas and issues is happy to adopt best practices being so that the World Superseries can implemented elsewhere. “We are happy to share info…we are all in this together and we can do more if we cooperate with each other. I’ve been listening to all the discussions here and thinking about various elements we can introduce to make our event better. I’m a big convert to the importance of sports presentation. It’s really important.”

Badminton representatives of Gulf nations. BWF Secretary General Thomas Lund in discussion with event hosts.

BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION www.bwfbadminton.org PAGE 10

2

3

1 Shuttling Through 2014 What a year to remember - whether it was Lee Yong Dae/Yoo Yeon Seong at the hands Yunlei (5) were the dominant force on the the amazament of a Spaniard snatching of their former playing partners and Korean circuit, with four titles even before the finals. the coveted World Championship or para- team-mates, Ko Sung Hyun/Shin Baek badminton’s historic selection among the Choel (4), was equally compelling while the Denmark continued to be the main European first 16 sports for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic iron-willed Zhao Yunlei of China became the threat to Asia with hard-fought triumphs Games or Japan’s stunning rout of China in first player to win two world titles at the same for /Christinna the ! championships, wresting Women’s and Pedersen; Jan Jorgensen; / Mixed Doubles honours. and Christinna Yes, all that and more happened in the Pedersen/ throughout the badminton world in 2014. The MetLife BWF World Superseries saw season. its usual array of thrills and spills with As the international federation marked its young guns such as Kidambi Srikanth Dubai’s hosting of the year-ending BWF 80th year in existence – and revealed plans (India), (Japan) and Chinese Destination Dubai World Superseries Finals to preserve its history with a digital museum Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen signalling their marked badminton’s coming-of-age in – the sport showcased a succession of lofty ambitions in Men’s Singles while the Middle East region; the first of a four- dramatic moments and unexpected twists. Marin, Tai Tzu Ying (Chinese Taipei) and year deal to stage the season-ender in this Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi did likewise on exquisite desert metropolis (7). On the courts, there were yet again some the women’s side. The return of supremo, seismic shocks with Japan denying China a , caused a stir, especially as the “We are extremely happy to welcome Dubai fifth-straight Thomas Cup victory, sweeping Chinese Men’s Singles star blazed to and the sense of style which it brings to the the defending champions 3-0 in the semi- significant successes, winning gold at the MetLife BWF World Superseries,” said BWF finals, before taking the Men’s Team trophy Asian Games, the Asian Championships, President Poul-Erik Høyer. versus a feisty Malaysia. Tongues were the first-ever World Superseries Australian still wagging about those epic battles Open and two Grand Prix Gold events. “Our tour is becoming increasingly popular when, a few months later, Carolina Marin However, he didn’t have it all his way with a and is televised in more than 160 countries (3) delivered arguably the performance surprising loss to Srikanth in the China Open with a household reach of more than of the year to oust overwhelming favourite finale. 300 million. Dubai’s global connectivity, and world No.1, Li Xuerui of China, in the accessibility and track record in hosting Women’s Singles showdown at the BWF Doubles competitions were also riveting world-class sporting events can only help us World Championships. with Japan’s Misaki Matsutomo/Ayaka to grow the sport and make badminton even Takahashi challenging China’s dominance more accessible to fans.” Steely resolve and some gutsy strokeplay in Women’s Doubles while Lee/Yoo came to combined to catapult the promising Spaniard the fore in the men’s format. / Another development embraced by to the top of the podium; relegating the savoured a hat-trick of Mixed spectators was the integration of instant Olympic champ to runner-up for the second Doubles titles at the prestigious All England reviews into the World Superseries and BWF year straight. The Men’s Doubles upset of Championships while Zhang Nan/Zhao Major Events. Thanks to world-famous Hawk- Continues on page 11 4 6 7

5

BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION www.bwfbadminton.org PAGE 11 Continued from page 10

Eye Innovations, fans – both watching live and on television – can see challenges to line calls and the outcomes as they happen. This has proven a hit with the worldwide badminton family, especially players. Meanwhile, debate ensued over a potential change in the scoring system with many perspectives being voiced. Further testing of alternative options will be carried out in 2015. Off-court, the biggest news was undoubtedly that para- badminton competitors (2) will be on court in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. In early October, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced badminton among the first 16 sports for the Games sports programme – another historic milestone in the sport’s development, particularly for badminton athletes with impairments. “The lives of so many people are going to change. The dream of so many players around the world has come true!” declared Chair of BWF’s Para-Badminton Athletes’ Commission Richard Perot. BWF also had reason to celebrate early in 2014, with the election of President Poul-Erik Høyer (6) to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at its 126th session in Sochi, Russia. He was also elected to the International Masters Games Association. SHUTTLE TIME ON THE STREET

On the development front, BWF’s Shuttle Time programme One of the main roads in Lamongan, Indonesia, was transformed into continued to spread rapidly and by year-end achieved its 80th a racket-swinging, shuttle-hitting human chain in November as PBSI implementation in Cuba. Meanwhile, the Equipment Donation Project (1) started impressively with eight member associations (the Badminton Association of Indonesia) marked out 50 badminton adopting lesser-developed badminton nations. Already nearly courts and trained 60 teachers in the BWF’s schools-based grassroots 1000 rackets have been collected for distribution to recipients programme. Proudly showing off their newly-acquired skills, the teachers as well as other equipment and clothing. then delivered basic badminton lessons to 1,400 schoolchildren. On- The international federation also stepped up its fight against lookers said they had “never seen anything like this”, with badminton corrupt practices such as illegal betting and match-fixing by courts spread out across the street for as far as they could see and signing up with the IOC’s Integrity Betting Intelligence System children thoroughly enjoying themselves in an athletic activity. (IBIS).

Brazilians Try ‘Copaca-Badminton’! In November and December, the Copacabana The BWF initiative which started in August used Beach – one of the most famous stretches of eight locations around Rio to spread knowledge coastline in Rio – played host to “Descubra of and build interest in badminton in the lead-up O Badminton” (Discover Badminton); a to next year’s Rio 2016 Olympic Games. campaign to introduce Brazilians to badminton and increase awareness of the sport through “Descubra O Badminton” was also utilized to link interactive street activations and media Olympic badminton to other BWF development coverage. projects in Brazil, including the implementation of the BWF’s schools-based grass roots programme, Shuttle Time.

The catchy tagline is a call-to-action for Brazilians to embrace and participate in badminton – a sport which offers great benefits and values – as the Olympics draw nearer.

BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION www.bwfbadminton.org