The launch of Shuttle Time Seniors – a badminton activity programme designed for senior citizens – took place at a care home for elders in Kuala Lumpur in the presence of Malaysian greats Foo Kok Keong and Ong Ewe Hock on Wednesday 12 November.
The launch in Malaysia follows a pilot programme over the past three weeks at Pertubuhan Kebajikan Warga Emas (Senior Citizens Welfare Organisation) in Kajang, a suburb of Kuala Lumpur. The pilot involved setting up a badminton space in the care home and getting the residents to play drills that engaged them without risk of injury.
From left: Ong, BWF Development Director Ian Wright, Chan Wah Kiang, care home representative Lynn Chiang, Dr Aki Chong Li Chin and Foo.
Recognising population trends that show a growing demographic of elderly citizens worldwide, BWF has been developing Shuttle Time Senior resources with Coventry University and various academics and experts in the field of sports and heath. The programme incorporates elements specifically designed for the health and wellbeing of older adults in a collaborative and fun environment.
During the pilot and at the launch, BWF was supported by volunteers from partners MIVA (Malaysian Centre of Innovation in Voluntary Action) – an organisation that is part of MSEF (Malaysian Social Entrepreneurs Foundation). Chan Wah Kiang, President of MSEF, and Dr Aki Chong Li Chin, Executive Director of MSEF, were present at the launch.
To mark the occasion, 1992 Thomas Cup winner Foo and 1998 Commonwealth Games champion Ong engaged the residents with simple badminton drills.
Participants at the launch.
“I hope the project will be successful,” said Foo. “It’s good if the elderly have some sort of sport and activity. It’s good for them to move and think and hit the shuttle. Badminton helps keep the mind and body active.”
Ong expressed his appreciation for the programme and pledged his support.
“We can try to do whatever we can for elderly people to keep them mentally healthy. At the beginning of the session they were not coordinated, but after the first 10 minutes they were better coordinated and could hit the shuttle. So it’s a very good programme to promote not just in Malaysia but worldwide.”
BWF Development Director Ian Wright referred to the benefits of badminton for the elderly in terms of its non-contact nature and its adaptability to different spaces.
“This is a project we’ve been working on for the last couple of years, and it’s about activation of seniors, not only in a health sense – we all know the health benefits of badminton – but also in a social sense, bringing them together to socialise, to discuss, to bring people together in a healthy way,” said Wright.
“One of the qualities of badminton over some of the other activities for the elderly is that the shuttlecock is a parachute; it’s easier for them, but also if you miss it, it drops at your feet and you can pick it up. You don’t have to chase a ball; it’s really suited and adaptable for seniors. It is low impact and there’s a high success rate in terms of being able to hit a shuttle.”
Malaysian greats Foo (left) and Ong leading a session.
Lynn Chiang, representative of the care home, was enthusiastic about the project, recalling that after every such activity, the residents would become more talkative and alert.
MSEF President Chan spoke about the special relationship with BWF and the care home, and the future course of action involving volunteers from MIVA.
“Our collaboration with BWF began in 2024, right here at Pertubuhan Kebajikan Warga Emas Sg Chua,” recalled Chan. “Our first activity with the elderly residents was simple, yet deeply meaningful. To ensure this impact continues, six MIVA volunteers will undergo BWF Shuttle Time Teacher Training this year to become certified instructors. Starting in 2026, they will then lead new community sessions and train more volunteers, creating a sustainable foundation for this programme in Malaysia.”
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