Malaysian, Lee, winner of Olympic silver medals at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, handed over some equipment to the BWF in Kuala Lumpur as part of the new initiative which aims to give under privileged children worldwide the opportunity to get involved in playing badminton.

Players and BWF member associations are being asked to donate rackets, shuttlecocks and other equipment to the project which will then be distributed to schools in disadvantaged regions around the world.

"We have initiated this project to encourage the public to donate badminton rackets and other equipment which they may not be using anymore but which are still in good condition," said BWF secretary general Thomas Lund.

"All the rackets, shuttles, etc. we collect through the Equipment Donation Project will be sent to schools in lesser developed countries to deliver badminton to children.

"It's another aspect of Shuttle Time - our grassroots development programme which is focused on schools.

"We want to make badminton the number one schools' sport and this will help our efforts."

The Equipment Donation Project is part of the BWF's Shuttle Time campaign ©BWF



As part of the campaign, equipment donation booths will opened at upcoming BWF World Superseries and Grand Prix Gold tournaments at which players, fans and equipment suppliers are being encouraged to drop off their contributions.

Each member association hosting an event at which equipment is collected will choose another member association to receive that donation.

The first of these booths will be set up at the All England Open Badminton Championships in Birmingham, which is due to run from March 4 to 9 at the National Indoor Arena (NIA).

The BWF is also asking elite players to support the campaign with a brief promo stating "Giving Every Child a Chance to Play. Donate Equipment Today."

For more information on the Shuttle Time campaign taking place at the All England Open Badminton Championships click here.

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