Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, June 15, 2021: The Badminton World Federation - in partnership with the World Academy of Sport - has opened a new cycle of scholarships for the University of London’s Postgraduate Certificate in International Sports Management.
The programme provides unique opportunities for dual-career athletes who have chosen to pursue their education without giving up their elite sporting life. It also offers talent already employed within the badminton family the chance to learn new skills.
Last year, BWF received more than 70 applications from over 35 countries, and a total of 11 candidates started the programme in February 2021.
The recipient of last year’s fully funded scholarship, Mahoor Shahzad of Pakistan, recently earned an invite to compete at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games after receiving one of three tripartite positions in women’s singles.
Shahzad said of the BWF-WAoS programme: “This collaboration between WAoS and the University of London is playing a major role in providing an international platform for players like me who are resilient and eager to do well in sports and studies but find it tough to maintain a balance due to competitions and training schedule. This will not only prepare me for a bright future but also allow me to put my best input on the field.”
For the September 2021 cycle, BWF and WAoS are once again offering similar opportunities, with one fully funded scholarship, and 10 25-per-cent scholarships. The course is 100 per cent online and can be completed over a period of up to five years.
BWF Secretary General Thomas Lund said: “The fact one of our scholarship holders from last year will be competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games is a great endorsement of the programme.”