Badminton in the UAE is set to receive a major boost but creating a national federation to govern the sport is not on the immediate agenda, Dubai Sports Council (DSC) officials said yesterday at the launch of the BWF Destination Dubai Superseries Finals.

Just four tournaments remain on the 12-stop BWF World Superseries calendar before the highest-ranked players converge on Dubai’s Hamdan Sports Complex from December 17-21 to compete for a share of the $1 million (Dh3.67m) prize.

Only the eight top-ranked players in men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles will earn a place at the big-money tournament.   

The BWF (Badminton World Federation) signed a deal last March with the DSC keeping the Superseries Finals in Dubai for four years. 

The partnership has also seen the BWF’s grassroots programme Shuttle Time brought to the city, to encourage people from all walks of life to take up badminton. 

Shuttle Time Dubai was launched in July and will see teachers in 40 schools trained in how to coach badminton to more than 3,000 students aged eight to 16. The schools will also be supplied with equipment, suggested lesson plans and interactive learning material.

Dr. Ahmad Al Sharif, the secretary general of the DSC, maintains that huge steps have been taken towards boosting the sport at the grassroots level but says that a federation is not a current priority.

“If the number of UAE players increases and we see the results, that will force us to create a federation to cater for their needs,” he said.