Home2020Asian stars named BWF's 'i am badminton' campaign ambassadors

Asian stars named BWF’s ‘i am badminton’ campaign ambassadors

Asian badminton’s global stars, Pusarla V. Sindhu from India, along with China’s Zheng Si Wei and Huang Ya Qiong, and Para badminton ace, Chan Ho Yuen of Hongkong, have been named as the new Ambassadors of BWF’s ‘i am badminton’ campaign.

BWF named the Asian stars as part of a list of eight ambassadors for this campaign which has been at the forefront of BWF’s efforts to communicate its approach to integrity. BWF’s Integrity Unit was formed five years ago.

Others listed as ambassadors are Michelle Li (CAN), Jack Shephard (ENG), Valeska Knoblauch (GER) and Athletes’ Commission Chair, Marc Zwiebler (GER).

Pusarla V. Sindhu said playing clean and honest is very important in any sport. “This message starts with one voice. If we as ambassadors can highlight this, then I think this will spread to more players,” she said.

“You are playing the sport for yourself. You need to be happy about it. You have to play it very clean and that is very important to me.”

WATCH: Introducing Pusarla V. Sindhu | ‘i am badminton’ Ambassador 2020

The ‘i am badminton’  campaign provides a platform for which players are able to express their love and respect for badminton by advocating and committing to clean and honest play.

It’s hoped such a concerted effort will not only raise awareness across the entire badminton landscape but encourage players to be active participants in shaping the integrity of the sport.

Michelle Li added: “Sport provides a great experience and opportunity for the younger generation because you can learn so much and it provides you with a lot of life lessons.

“When we’re on the court, we are all working really hard and trying to go for the same goals, so we all want to be starting from the same starting line. Therefore, it’s important to be clean and honest as it is a true representation of your ability.”

WATCH: Introducing Michelle Li | ‘i am badminton’ Ambassador 2020

The new batch of ambassadors will continue the great work of a number of elite players, past and present, who have fronted the campaign since 2016.

They include BWF President Poul-Erik Høyer; BWF Para Badminton Athletes’ Commission Chair Richard Perot, and superstars such as Saina Nehwal, Viktor Axelsen, Hendra Setiawan, Christinna Pedersen, Chen Long, Misaki Matsutomo and Akaya Takahashi.

Collectively, they will help to communicate to the playing group the key messages of the campaign and will attend badminton and Para badminton tournaments where they will share with the future generation their commitment to clean and honest badminton.

President Høyer said: “Every player has the right to compete in clean and fair sport. Match fixing, match manipulation and doping are contrary to the spirit of sport.

“As an ambassador, we all play an important role in safeguarding the future of badminton.

“Our youth and Para badminton players are perceived to be at greater risk of match manipulation and doping due to their lack of exposure on the international circuit.

“The idea of the ‘i am badminton’ campaign is for us as role models to share our experiences with these target groups so they have a heightened level of awareness on the importance of anti-match manipulation and anti-doping.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION

BWF Integrity Unit: https://corporate.bwfbadminton.com/integrity/

‘i am badminton’: https://corporate.bwfbadminton.com/integrity/i-am-badminton/

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