20 participants from 12 different countries participated in the BWF Administration Course, hosted by the Badminton Confederation Africa (BCA), in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia . The course took place during 3 days, from the 27th to 29th of September 2019. This yearly BWF , designed in conjunction with the World Academy of Sports and hosted by the BCA, is designed to train and empower administrators at the national association level.
The BCA has provided participants from Benin, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Sudan and Uganda, an opportunity to get acquainted to the principals of good governance, designed and certified by the BWF. As stated by Ajong Morfaw, one of the participants from Cameroon, this Administrative Course hosted by BCA brings more than administrative skills, it also brings relational skills. “These skills acquired will help us better relate with our federations, as well as attract others to join us work for the growth of the game” said Ajong.
Since 2017, the BCA has been responsible for this administrative course, whereby the BCA wants to increase capacity and assist member association to be structured, where all principles of good governance and management are taken into consideration. The 1st course, organised by the BCA in 2017 was conducted in South Africa, with English as the primary medium of instruction -followed by the 2nd edition of the administrative course, organized in Benin with French as the medium of instruction.
Among several objectives set by the BCA, one of them has been to invite several women administrators for the course, in a goal to cater for gender equality at all levels of the sports. More women involved as administrators, coaches, players mean a more diverse and balanced gender representation across the world of badminton. The Chairwoman of the BCW Women in Badminton Commission, Dr. Moneoang Leshota, was also part of the Administrative course delivered by the BCA.
With regards to bridging the gap between men and women in the world of sports, a brainstorming session about gender equity in Africa was addressed on the 28th September within the Administrative Course by the BCA with both men and women participants. The goal of the brainstorming sessions was to highlight the difficulties that women face to join the sports at many levels, be it as coach, player , administrator and umpire.
