SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Badminton Oceania is excited to expand the sport of badminton for persons with a disability across the region, and will be working with key partners to provide a framework which both support and encourages persons with an intellectual disability to participate. Alongside participation, there will be exciting opportunities for those involved in coaching to further develop their knowledge and skills.

In 2018, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Badminton Oceania, Badminton Asia and Special Olympics Asia Pacific was signed in Bangkok, Thailand, during the BWF Annual General Meeting. Moreover, in January 2022, an extension of the MOU was conducted via zoom to celebrate a three-year partnership and commitment between Badminton Oceania and Special Olympics Asia-Pacific. The move builds on another MOU between the BWF and Special Olympics International (signed in 2019) as they developed the Badminton-Special Olympics Global Development Strategy in November 2020.

This provides the opportunity to enhance mutual interest and agree upon a framework for long-term, strategic cooperative support based on common values with all parties recognising and understanding the power of sport and the positive impact sport can have on the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.

At the Special Olympics World Games 2023 in Berlin, Oceania was represented for the first time by two athletes from both Papua New Guinea and Fiji winning several medals.

PLAYER EVENT/DIVISION MEDAL
Martha AHWONG (PNG) WS 5 Bronze
Emmanual SEVARA/Martha AHWONG (PNG) XD 1 Silver
Maria TERESIA (FIJ) WS 3 Silver
Samu VUETASAU (FIJ) MS 1 Silver

 

For more information, contact sam@badmintonoceania.org

Special Olympics International is currently engaged in dialogue with multiple potential- bidders for the 2027 World Games.  The host will be announced in 2024.

Read more about the History of the World Games

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Access coaching materials and other links to help you understand how badminton contributes to Special Olympics
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Find out more about the upcoming 2023 World Summer Games badminton competition
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Access basic information on Unified Sports programming including definitions, coaches training, unified teammate guidelines and more!
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