As the global sporting community marks International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) today, badminton’s growing presence in Senegal offers a compelling reflection of how sports can bring people together, create opportunity and break down barriers.
Aligned with this year’s theme, ‘Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers’, BWF’s work on the ground continues to demonstrate how meaningful change can take root in communities.
Following the early foundations laid through the Dakar 2026 legacy work in 2023, recent activity has shifted from planning to visible impact. At the centre of this progress is FestiBad, a travelling initiative designed to introduce badminton to new audiences and embed it within local communities. The Thiès stage, held from 19 to 21 December 2025, brought this vision to life in a way that felt both ambitious and deeply local.
Across three days, more than 1,000 participants took part as schools, training centres and community spaces became hubs of activity welcoming children, adults and educators into a shared environment of learning and play. Around 90 per cent were young people, with strong female participation reflecting the programme’s inclusive nature.
More than 300 schoolchildren were introduced to badminton through initiation sessions, while over 120 girls took part in dedicated school-based activities that encouraged participation and confidence. Beyond the school environment, more than 100 adults engaged through fitness club sessions, reinforcing the idea that badminton can connect generations and communities alike.
Twenty physical education teachers were trained through BWF’s Shuttle Time Programme, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to deliver badminton within their schools. The Youth Leadership initiative supported the development of 16 young leaders, who took on active roles throughout the event and gained valuable experience in coaching and organisation.
Elsewhere, more than 350 young participants from sports academies were introduced to badminton, while a further 40 engaged through activities delivered in partnership with Seed Academy.
The structure of the event combined grassroots engagement with targeted development. Early sessions focused on introducing badminton in schools and community settings through fun, accessible activities such as relays and skill-based games. This was followed by more structured training for teachers and facilitators, ensuring knowledge could be sustained and shared long after the event had concluded.
The project is partly financed by Olympic Solidarity, with additional support from the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee and the Senegal National Olympic Committee. Collaboration with schools, educational institutions and organisations such as Seed Academy has strengthened the programme’s reach and created pathways for continued engagement.
The final day brought a competitive and celebratory element with an AirBadminton tournament across multiple categories offering participants the chance to apply their skills in a supportive environment.
In many ways, this captured the spirit of White Card Day, which symbolises inclusion, respect and peace through sport – values clearly reflected throughout FestiBad. From schoolchildren discovering badminton for the first time to teachers gaining new skills and young leaders stepping into positions of responsibility, each moment contributes to a broader sense of connection and shared purpose.
Sahir Edoo, BWF Head of Development Projects, reflected on the initiative: “FestiBad shows how badminton can create meaningful opportunities at community level. It’s more than participation, it’s about equipping people with lifelong skills, building confidence and creating structures that allow the sport to grow in a sustainable and inclusive way.”
This momentum will continue through an expanded programme of activity across Senegal. Upcoming FestiBad stages are planned along the Petite Côte, including Ngaparou, Ficelle and Somone, followed by further events in Ziguinchor and Kaffrine or Fatick. Additional phases are also being prepared for Saint Louis, Dakar and Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. FestiBad will also be delivered in neighbouring countries such as The Gambia and Cape Verde, reflecting a wider Youth Olympic Games legacy that extends across the region.
Alongside these events, there are plans to train more teachers, strengthen Youth Leadership pathways and improve delivery through enhanced resources and coordination.
The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, taking place from 31 October to 13 November, will mark the first Olympic event held on African soil. As momentum builds, the importance of initiatives such as FestiBad is becoming increasingly clear through programmes that prioritise access, education and community engagement.
Across three days, more than 1,000 participants showed how badminton brings generations and communities together.
BWF Newsletter
