On January 12, 2010, a devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 struck Haiti, killing more than 220,000 and displacing close to 1.5 million people. The earthquake caused severe damage to houses, schools, churches and hospitals, with many sports facilities also being destroyed. Foreign governments, charities and not-for-profit organisations co-ordinated the provision of humanitarian aid for the people of Haiti.
In 2010 the BWF and Peace and Sport signed an MOU outlining shared goals to encourage peace and social cohesion through badminton. BWF announced its commitment to provide expert trainers, resources and equipment to support vulnerable youth in regions of the world that have been affected by natural disasters, war, severe economic circumstances and social unrest.
BWF’s Shuttle Time Programme has provided many positive opportunities for young Haitians to re-engage in sport through badminton
Creative use of Shuttle Time
The BWF, Haitian Badminton Federation and Peace and Sport first introduced Shuttle Time to Haiti in 2012. The programme has been used to rejuvenate and re-engage Haitians in sport. The project focuses on achieving the following long-term goals:
• Developing a local workforce to deliver badminton in schools and communities.
• Creating opportunities for children in Haiti to be active and experience fun through badminton.
• Providing badminton equipment to support the teaching of Shuttle Time sessions.
• Introducing a schools badminton competition.
• Supporting the growth and development of the Haitian Badminton Federation.
In 2014 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach officially opened a new Olympic Sport for Hope Centre in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The Olympic Sport for Hope Centre features modern sporting facilities and offers Haitians of all ages the opportunity
to access and experience sport. Because the Shuttle Time programme was already established, structured badminton was selected as one of the sports offered at the centre.
Furthermore the Sport for Hope Centre provided the Haitian Badminton Federation a work station and materials to administer badminton nationally from the centre. This new partnership and facility together with the training of Shuttle Time tutors is a key factor in the sustainability of the programme.
Outcomes to Date
• First national schools championships held in 2015
• Weekly badminton sessions established in the IOC Sport for Hope Centre
• Equipment supplied to local schools and the IOC Sport for Hope Centre
• 2000+ children engaged in regular sporting activity through Shuttle Time
• 30+ local sports monitors trained as Shuttle Time tutors
• 20 Technical Officials trained in competition management and umpiring
“BWF’s Shuttle Time Programme has provided many positive opportunities for young Haitians to re-engage in sport through badminton. Shuttle Time offers children of all ages and abilities the opportunity to be active and have fun. The sustainability of programmes in Haiti is essential to their success. BWF’s approach, which focuses on training and developing Haitian teachers, coaches, technical officials and the national badminton federations will ensure the programme continues to grow year after year.”
Mr. Hans Larsen, President, National Olympic Committee of Haiti.
