Special Olympics (SOI) and the Badminton World Federation (BWF) re-affirmed their collaboration with the official signing of an MOU at the Special Olympics World Games 2019 Abu Dhabi.
Following the Games, the organizations created the first of its kind 4-year strategic plan between Special Olympics and an International Sport Federation. Sport for All and Inclusion through Sport sit at the heart of both the BWF and SOI. The vision of the 4-year strategic plan is to provide meaningful opportunities for people with an intellectual disability to be involved in all aspects of badminton.
The Strategic Plan focuses on 4 Key Results Areas:
- Development: Provide high quality participation and education opportunities for Special Olympics athletes and coaches, through programmes which cater for all ages and ability levels. Promote badminton as an inclusive sport that can be enjoyed by all, particularly in a unified setting.
- Events: Support and encourage opportunities for Special Olympics athletes to experience a positive sporting experience through competition. Badminton World Federation – Special Olympics International KRA 2 Events Global Badminton Development Strategy 2020 – 2024 10 Assist in the development of guidelines and officials to deliver badminton events at a world, regional and national level. Promote the concept and benefits of unified competition globally
- Partnerships: Promote and encourage the development of partnerships between the BWF and SOI at all levels within each organization: Global, Regional and National.
- Communication: Positively promote the collaborative work of the BWF and SOI, as well as highlighting key messages of both organizations, particularly those of inclusion, health & wellbeing, and social benefits of sport/badminton