The spirit of solidarity is what is most striking about Azerbaijan Badminton Federation’s Africa Development Project that won the Inclusion Award (jointly with Senegal) at the BWF’s Member Association Awards in April.
Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with BWF in 2023, and backed by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Youth and Sport, the National Olympic Committee, and local stakeholders, the federation launched a development support programme for five countries in Africa (Botswana, Cameroon, Gambia, Madagascar and Niger). Each of the five countries received 300 beginner rackets, 720 shuttlecocks, 200 T-shirts, and other equipment such as nets, grips and professional rackets. BWF and Badminton Confederation of Africa coordinated the distribution, ensuring it reached coaches, schools, clubs and aspiring athletes.
In addition, the federation also ran coaching exchange programmes, sending Azerbaijani coaches to Africa and inviting African coaches to Azerbaijan.
When they embarked on the project, president of the federation Taleh Ziyadov recalls that the primary concern from within the badminton community was on the necessity of developing badminton elsewhere when they could focus on developing the sport at home. After all, Azerbaijan itself was an upcoming nation in terms of badminton development. This question was resolved with the belief that development could not happen in isolation.
“While this concern may have been valid, especially for a relatively young federation, we have always believed that the development of badminton cannot happen in isolation,” says Ziyadov. “True progress is achieved when we build together and elevate one another. After all, we have also benefited significantly thanks to the support and assistance of other partner federations around the world!”
Given that the project involved several countries, there were several logistical challenges around customs clearances, timelines and communication gaps. Despite these challenges, and with the support of BWF and Badminton Confederation of Africa, the project would make a lasting impact.
BWF’s award citation notes that the project “significantly boosted badminton development across these nations and the wider African continent, reaching 60 schools, 1,500 participants, 40 clubs and numerous key partners. The project raised badminton’s national profile, leaving a considerable impact for these developing countries and the African Continent.”
Azerbaijan’s equipment donation programme.
What inspired the Azerbaijan federation to embark on this project?
Ziyadov says the initiative stemmed from “the belief that mutual development and collaboration are essential for global progress in badminton”.
“Much of our own progress as a federation in the past few years stems from a systematic and strategic development plan that we have implemented in collaboration with leading badminton nations – particularly from Europe and Asia, including Malaysia and Indonesia.
“At the heart of it all was the joy of children stepping onto a badminton court for the first time. Their excitement reminded us why we started this journey. It was not just about the sport, it was about inclusion, opportunity and connection.”
Azerbaijan’s equipment donation programme.
Taking this idea forward, Azerbaijan plans to launch a regional training hub to bring together athletes, coaches and technical officials from the Caucasus, Central Asia and other regions, which will also be open to African nations.
“Receiving the 2025 Inclusion Award was a proud and deeply meaningful milestone for Badminton Azerbaijan,” says Ziyadov.
“The key takeaway of our initiative is that modest support can spark real momentum when it reaches communities that have been underserved. Initiatives like this do not just deliver equipment, they build trust, foster friendships, open new pathways for talent and deepen the sense of unity within the global BWF family.”
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