Badminton World Federation and Special Olympics Mark Milestone with Global Impact Report

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Special Olympics International (SOI) recently published the impact report of the organisations 2020-2024 Global Badminton Development Strategy. The report was officially launched on 19 September 2025 at a celebration held courtside during the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Regional Badminton Competition in Bukit Kiara, Malaysia.

The ceremony brought together leaders from the global badminton and Special Olympics communities – including Special Olympics Maldives badminton player, representatives from Special Olympics Malaysia, Special Olympics International and Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, President of the Badminton World Federation.

(left to right) Lou Lauria from SOI, Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul from BWF, Mr. Bong Koi Sin from SOM & Dipak Natali from SOAP.

Celebrating Four Years of Growth

The Impact Report highlights the remarkable progress made under the 2020–2024 Global Strategic Badminton Development Plan, a collaboration that has transformed the landscape of inclusive badminton worldwide.

Key achievements include:

• 137,803 athletes with intellectual disabilities are now playing badminton through Special Olympics.
• 36,212 Unified partners and 13,464 coaches, including more than 11,000 certified coaches, are actively engaged.
• 19 new countries and programs introducing badminton to their Special Olympics offerings since 2020.
• 62 partnerships forged between Special Olympics Programs and BWF Member Associations, powering opportunities for inclusive sport at every level.

The partnership has also advanced innovation in coaching and competition delivery, from new inclusivity guidelines in BWF’s Shuttle Time resources, to a groundbreaking Badminton Athlete Divisioning Assessment Form successfully used at the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023.

Looking Ahead

As Special Olympics badminton enters its next chapter, the Impact Report provides a blueprint for scaling inclusive opportunities globally. With the upcoming Special Olympics World Game 2027 Santiago, we look forward to seeing Member Associations working closely with the national Special Olympics programs for the game and making badminton inclusive for all.

More Information / Contact Person

• BWF Deputy Director Continental & Membership Development, John Shearer ([email protected])
• SOI Senior Manager Sport Development & Sport Partnerships, Maggie Brennan ([email protected])