DJIBOUTI AND SOMALIA SHUTTLE TIME ACTIVITIES.
As outlined in the Badminton Confederation Africa Strategic Plan, the implementation of the Shuttle Time programme is Key towards the development of Badminton in its new Member Associations. To ensure the success of the implementation of the Shuttle Time programme in its newer Associations, the BCA has put in place mechanisms such as funding, capacity building, equipment donation, and MOU signing to bolster their efforts to Introduce and sustain the Shuttle Time Programme. One such success is the recent implementation of the Shuttle Time activities in Djibouti and Somali.
DJIBOUTI SHUTTLE TIME ACTIVITY;
Founded in August 2018 under the leadership of the Djiboutian Secretary of State for Youth and Sports, Djibouti Badminton Federation in collaboration with the National Olympic Committee of Djibouti and the BCA held its first BWF level one coaching course 16th -23rd May 2021, Shuttle Time Teachers Course 24th-25th May 2021, and a Players training Camp 26th -27th May 2021. The course attracted 10 coaches, 13 Physical education teachers from 13 schools in different regions, and 10 players aged between 11 to 15 years both boys and girls.
As a new sport in Djibouti, the NOC saw the need to support the growth of the sport through the Olympic Solidarity Course and with the support of the BCA expert, Djibouti was able to deliver a course which will give their players and coaches technical knowledge to improve their skills and help them after the course.
“The course was very successful to our Coaches and PE Teachers. We thank the BWF, the BCA, and the Expert who showed great professionalism in conducting the course” Moussa Daher Kaireh, President of Djiboutian Badminton Federation said at the end of the activities.
Since its inception in 2018, the Djibouti Badminton Federation has only benefitted from 3 training camps in China. The BWF level one course conducted by the BCA regional development officer Mr. Bernadin BOKPE will enable them to train their players and also build a good basis for the development of Badminton in Djibouti.
“I thank the Expert Mr. Bernadin BOKPE for exceeding our expectations in regards to his knowledge in badminton. I’m sure that the participants will practice what they have learned during both courses. Now the ball is on our side. We’ll keep working for the best future of badminton in Djibouti. Thanks to the NOC, BWF, and BCA” Samatar Abdillahi Rirache, National Technical Director of Djiboutian Badminton Federation said.
Going forward the Djibouti badminton federation expects the 13 certified Shuttle Time Teachers to start working with the school pupils in their different schools once the schools resume. They also plan to give the pupils competition opportunities by organizing tournaments in different regions. The BCA on its part plans to assist the federation with equipment donation to accompany the programme implementation and later proceed to train the Tutors (BWF Shuttle Time Tutors) who will train teachers to extend the program in the whole country.
SOMALIA SHUTTLE TIME ACTIVITY;
Also formed in 2018, the Somali Badminton Federation is the youngest Federation of the Somali Olympic Committee (SNOC). Under the leadership of its first President Mr. Ali Mohamed Hussein, the federation hasn’t gotten the chance to grow due to the insecurity and unstable political system of the Somali Government. In 2020, they were among the BWF Member associations who qualified for the Membership Grant to conduct badminton activities in their respective countries. One such activity was the Shuttle Time Teachers Course held on the 17th -18th May, 24th -25th May, and 29th – 30th May 2021. The course brought together over 30 school teachers from Mogadishu who received both theoretical and practical aspects of the Shuttle Time Programme. The course was delivered by a local Tutor Mr. Mire who used his vast knowledge in Badminton and the Shuttle Time Manuals available online to introduce the program to the participants.
“This is our very first time to conduct such a course since the inception of our federation in 2018. As a developing country in Badminton, our biggest challenge is to reintroduce badminton which was last played actively in the 1970s hence our vision to develop and grow badminton in all Somali regions. We eventually hope badminton will help us achieve community integration and peace in the country” Said the Secretary-General of the Somali Badminton Federation Mr. Bashir. “The knowledge gained will help us build the capacity of the teachers to enable them to deliver and implement the Shuttle Time program in their respective schools” he added.
The BCA is committed to helping the Somali badminton federation to develop and re-introduce badminton in all regions of Somalia through equipment donation, capacity building, and player training camps.
