Keeping the increasing popularity of Badminton in the region in view, the UAE formed a new governing body to oversee the ongoing development of the game. The UAE Tennis Association now rechristened as the UAE Table Tennis and Badminton Association will enhance the governance, administration, grassroots development and event delivery for both sports by sharing the resources.
The formation of the governing body, facilitated by Falcon and Associates, was announced by His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, and His Excellency Dawood Al Hajri, President of the UAE Table Tennis Association, with the Badminton World Federation President Poul-Erik Hoyer witnessing this important event.
His Excellency Saeed Hareb, who is also Chairman of the BWF Dubai World Superseries Finals Organising Committee, commented on the announcement by saying, “The formation of the UAE Badminton and Table Tennis Association is a fantastic milestone for the growth and development of the sport.” He further added, “The creation of this national association will no doubt increase participation in the UAE and further enhance the governance, development and administration structures currently in place. This is certainly an exciting time for badminton in the UAE and Dubai Sports Council looks forward to working very closely with the UAE Table Tennis and Badminton Association to promote badminton to an ever wider audience.”
Dawood Al Hajri’s name was announced as the new President of the Association, with Hassan Al-Zarouni appointed as Secretary General, Abdulrahman Al-Menhali as Treasurer and Ghazi Al Madani as a board member.
Accepting the position of the President of the Association, Al Hajri said, “The growth trajectory of badminton over the past two years has been nothing short of remarkable since the Shuttle Time Dubai programme was introduced as part of the agreement to host the BWF World Superseries Finals in Dubai. The association will further promote the growth of the sport in the region by developing a strategic and coordinated approach to the long-term development and sustainability of badminton in the UAE.”
