Badminton World Federation

Badminton

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is the international governing body for the sport of badminton recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Sport

Badminton

Founded

1934 (87 years ago)

Headquarters

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Affiliations

International Olympic Committee

Summary

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is the international governing body responsible for overseeing the sport of badminton. Established on 5 July 1934 as the International Badminton Federation (IBF), it started with nine founding member countries, including Canada, Denmark, and England. In 2006, the organisation changed its name to the Badminton World Federation (BWF) during an Extraordinary General Meeting in Madrid. The BWF has its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and as of now, has 201 member associations worldwide.

The BWF’s role is to regulate, promote, and develop badminton globally. It works closely with five continental federations, which include Badminton Asia, Badminton Europe, Badminton Pan America, Badminton Confederation of Africa, and Badminton Oceania, each responsible for regional governance and development of the sport.

BWF oversees several international badminton events, including the BWF World Championships, Thomas Cup, Uber Cup, and Sudirman Cup. These tournaments attract top players from across the world and are recognised as important competitions in the sport. The organisation also governs para-badminton and has been working to develop this aspect of the sport globally. Para-badminton became part of the Paralympic Games starting from the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.

The BWF maintains global rankings for both regular and junior players, which determine qualifications and seedings for international tournaments. Rankings are updated based on players' performances over the last 52 weeks.

The BWF is led by its President, Poul-Erik Høyer Larsen, who has been in office since 2013. The Executive Board and Council, consisting of representatives from various member associations, are responsible for making key decisions regarding the governance and future direction of badminton.

The BWF also focuses on developing young talent through initiatives such as Shuttle Time, a global school's badminton programme. This initiative aims to make badminton accessible to children around the world. BWF also emphasises anti-doping measures, working closely with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to maintain fair play.

Disciplines

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) oversees several disciplines in badminton, including men's, women's, and mixed events. These disciplines are contested in various international competitions, including the BWF World Championships, the BWF World Junior Championships, and the BWF World Senior Championships. Each discipline tests players' skills in different formats, with singles, doubles, and team events being the primary formats.

Men’s Events:

Singles: This event has been part of the World Championships since 1937. It is a one-on-one contest where players aim to outscore their opponent.
Doubles: Also included in the World Championships since 1937, this event features teams of two players, working together to defeat the opposing pair.
Team: This event was introduced at the World Championships in 1948. National teams compete against each other, with players participating in both singles and doubles matches.
Mixed Doubles: Since 1949, this format has allowed male and female players to compete together in doubles. It combines elements of both men’s and women’s doubles.
Junior and Senior Championships: Men’s singles, doubles, and team events have been part of the World Junior Championships since 1992 and the World Senior Championships since 1977.

Women’s Events:

Singles: Just like the men’s singles, women’s singles have been part of the World Championships since 1937.
Doubles: Women’s doubles have been included in the World Championships since 1937, where two players team up against another pair.
Team: National women’s teams have competed in this format since 1948. It consists of singles and doubles matches, much like the men’s team events.
Mixed Doubles: Women also participate in mixed doubles, where they team up with male players. This event has been part of the World Championships since 1949.
Junior and Senior Championships: Women’s singles, doubles, and team events have been featured in the World Junior Championships since 1992 and the World Senior Championships since 1977.

Mixed Events:

Mixed Doubles: Introduced in the World Championships in 1949, mixed doubles feature teams of one man and one woman. This format is highly competitive, requiring seamless coordination between the partners.
Mixed Team: Since 1948, this event has involved national teams, each with men’s and women’s players, competing in singles and doubles matches.

Para-Badminton Events:

Men's and Women’s Singles: Para-badminton singles have been contested in the World Championships since 1998. Athletes compete in various classifications depending on their level of physical impairment.
Men’s and Women’s Doubles: This event has also been part of the World Championships since 1998, featuring teams of two players with physical impairments.
Mixed Doubles: Mixed doubles have been featured in the Para-Badminton World Championships since 1998. It brings together male and female para-athletes in a doubles competition.

Membership

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is made up of national badminton associations from various countries around the world. These associations represent their respective nations in the sport and work to promote and develop badminton within their regions.

Key Points of BWF Membership:

Total Membership: The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has a global membership of 201 members, which includes 11 Associate Members. These national associations work closely with BWF to organise and regulate badminton at both national and international levels.
Continental Confederations: BWF operates in cooperation with five continental confederations:
- Badminton Asia (BA)
- Badminton Europe (BE)
- Badminton Pan America (BPA)
- Badminton Confederation of Africa (BCA)
- Badminton Oceania (BO)
These confederations support the regional development of badminton and organise continental championships.
Membership Benefits:
- Participation in Events: Member associations have the right to send athletes to compete in BWF-sanctioned events, including world championships and continental tournaments.
- Voting Rights: Member associations have the right to participate in the BWF Annual General Meeting (AGM) and vote on governance matters, including the election of BWF officials and amendments to rules.
- Development Programmes: Members benefit from development initiatives such as coaching education, athlete training, and technical assistance programmes. These are designed to help grow badminton at the grassroots and elite levels.
Membership Requirements:
- National associations seeking BWF membership must be legally recognised by their respective countries and comply with all BWF rules and regulations. They are responsible for promoting and developing badminton in alignment with the BWF’s objectives. Associations are also subject to the BWF’s vetting rules, ensuring that elected officials meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the BWF Constitution. Additionally, members are required to complete an online membership questionnaire, available in English, Spanish, and French, to assist the BWF in understanding their specific needs. Members are categorised based on their level of development to facilitate tailored support and resources. In countries like India, players can apply for BWF/BAI IDs through their state associations.
Annual General Meeting (AGM): The AGM is the primary decision-making body of the BWF. It is held annually, where member associations gather to discuss and vote on important matters, including rule changes, governance decisions, receiving reports, approving accounts, and electing the BWF Council members.
Council: The BWF Council is an elected body of 30 members that oversees day-to-day affairs between AGMs. It includes key officials like the President, Deputy President, and Vice Presidents for various regions.