Over the weekend, Badminton Europe received a warm welcome from the Portuguese Badminton Federation for the sixth BEC Para Badminton Event in Caldas da Rainha, Portugal.
The location granted the event top-quality facilities for both courses and exceptional hall to train in, as well as an environment for the event to be carried out safely. Despite the lower than expected number of participants, the Para badminton experts, Dina Abouzeid Sariñena and Guillaume Gailly, were really happy with the coaches’ high level and experience.
Badminton Europe Development Officer, Justine Cammal, who played a key role in making this event happen, had this to say about the sessions.
- As they were all strong badminton players but not all experienced in coaching Para badminton, they were in an interesting position to adapt their exercises and share their experiences as well as ask questions to the experts.
All participants left the event having learnt and experienced something new. The aim of the event is to assist our Member Associations in developing Para badminton in their countries. By giving them fresh ideas and partaking in funs activities, they will have a new perspective on how to help grow the sport. Justine Cammal adds.
- For Sunday’s assessments, we had the privilege to have the five players from the Portuguese national team with us, so the coaches were in a real-life situation. We also had some great teamwork when the administrators joined together with the players and coaches groups for some exercise on court.
Click
here to see the wheelchair skills challenge.
Impeccable cooperation
The administrators taking part in the course presented by our Development & High Performance Manager, Tania Teoh, were highly motivated and eager to develop Para badminton in their home club or country. All administrators left the course with an action plan they will implement when they get home.
It was the first time Portugal hosted this kind of event and the hosts are really looking forward to further developing Para badminton across the country. Tania Teoh expresses her delight that the event was able to go ahead.
- We are over the moon that we could deliver this event physically. All participants were professional and considerate in following the appropriate guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. A huge thanks to the Portuguese Badminton Federation for the impeccable cooperation and we look forward to being back in Portugal soon.
To view photos from the event, click
here.