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Specialists from the French Badminton Federation traveled to La Réunion this week to promote parabadminton through workshops at rehabilitation centers, high schools, and specialized associations, Réunion La 1ère reported.
The initiative aims to expand participation in the discipline following recent French success at the Paris Paralympic Games. The program focuses on demonstrating how the sport adapts to various physical needs, including players using wheelchairs or prosthetics.
The French Badminton Federation and the local league organized sessions across the island to allow potential players to test the sport. These workshops are designed to show that badminton is a playable and accessible option for individuals with disabilities.
Patricia Corti, vice-president of the French Badminton Federation in charge of social inclusion, said the goal is to meet people directly. “I think it’s about going to meet people and showing that it is possible for everyone to practice,” Corti said.
Corti noted that intervening in rehabilitation centers and working with local associations helps people understand that badminton is achievable even with a disability.
Marilou Maurel, a member of the French national team, participated in the mission to share her experience and technical skills. She emphasized that the sport is highly accessible and allows for quick improvement during the initial stages of play.
“To develop practice, people need to be more interested,” Maurel said. She added that while work in rehabilitation centers is vital, increased media coverage is also essential to demonstrate that the sport exists.
The La Réunion Badminton League began its development efforts in December 2024. The program included a visit from Paralympic champions, including Lucas Mazur, to help build momentum for the sport on the island.
Since that start, the league has organized three distinct actions across different zones of La Réunion. Christophe Chenut, president of the La Réunion Badminton League, said the current focus is to strengthen ties with associations that support people with disabilities.
“We are at the beginning of parabadminton,” Chenut said. He observed that the sport adapts to many different types of audiences, including those using arm or leg prosthetics or wheelchairs.
If current interest continues to grow, a parabadminton component could eventually be added to the region’s traditional international tournament.
| Organization | Key Representative | Primary Objective |
|---|---|---|
| French Badminton Federation | Patricia Corti | Promoting social inclusion and accessibility |
| La Réunion Badminton League | Christophe Chenut | Strengthening ties with disability associations |
| French National Team | Marilou Maurel | Technical instruction and skill sharing |
The league intends to continue its outreach by actively recruiting practitioners from local disability support associations.
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