Dubai: Four Shuttle Time Dubai local training centres were launched this month demonstrating the rapid growth of the game locally.

The facilities will serve as talent identification and development pathway hubs for children participating in after-school programmes.

Each centre is offering coaching by qualified BWF Level One coaches for two hours per day, three times per week for 14 weeks for between 30-50 children. In partnership with Dubai Sports Council, four schools were selected as the venues for the 14-week training programme.

All of the schools have previously been involved in the Shuttle Time teacher training and coaching development programmes, and as a result have the trained personnel required to deliver expert tuition.

The Local Training Centres are located at Dubai National School in Al Barsha; Dubai International School in Al Quoz; Al-Ebdaa Model School in Al Twar, and Salahuddin Sports Hall in Al Mamzar, which is shared by Al Ahmadiya School and Ahmad Sulayem School.

Badminton World Federation (BWF) Secretary General Thomas Lund was in Dubai on Tuesday, and visited the centre at Dubai National School.

“The development of the Shuttle Time Dubai Local Training Centres is another huge step forward in the development of badminton here in Dubai,” he said.

“It is encouraging to see that Dubai is taking a very strategic approach to promoting the sport and increasing participation levels, and it is already paying dividends. Teacher education courses were held last year, and many of the teachers have now completed their BWF Level One courses and have become accredited specialised coaches. The location of the centres has been selected based on the availability of the qualified coaches, so these children are receiving quality instruction right from the outset which is critical.”

Shuttle Time Dubai was introduced as part of the partnership between Dubai Sports Council and the BWF to bring the Dubai World Superseries Finals to the emirate each December from 2014 to 2017. This year’s event takes place at the Hamdan Sports Complex from December 9-13.

Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.ae and for more information visit the Dubai World Superseries Finals Facebook page. For more information on Shuttle Time Dubai visit Badminton Shuttle Time Dubai on Facebook, or log on to www.dubaisuperseriesfinals.ae