Ghana Badminton Signs Landmark MoU with Special Olympics Ghana Ahead of the 2027 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Santiago
The Ghana Badminton Association (GBA) has taken a major step towards advancing inclusive sports development by signing a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Special Olympics Ghana as part of preparations for the 2027 Special Olympics World Summer Games will be held in Santiago, Chile, from 16–24 October 2027.
The agreement is expected to strengthen collaboration between the two organisations by creating greater opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities to participate in badminton while expanding access to coaching, competitions, technical training, and athlete development programmes across the country.
The partnership reflects Ghana Badminton’s commitment to making the sport accessible to everyone, regardless of ability, and aligns with the shared vision of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Special Olympics to use sport as a powerful tool for inclusion, empowerment, and social transformation.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Ghana Badminton Association President Evans Yeboah described the partnership as a significant milestone in the federation’s long-term vision of developing inclusive badminton in Ghana.
“Next year is a big one, and Team Ghana will be represented in the intellectual disability category. We have been working closely with Special Olympics Ghana in developing our athletes—our own children, our own sons and daughters,” he said.
Yeboah added that the collaboration would also focus on building technical capacity by training teachers to coach athletes with intellectual disabilities and equipping them with internationally recognised badminton coaching certifications.
Special Olympics Ghana Board Chairman Dr. Ebenezer Owusu hailed the agreement as another landmark achievement for the organisation.
“For us at Special Olympics Ghana, today is another milestone in our journey. Our defining focus includes year-round sports and health programmes for persons with intellectual disabilities. This partnership strengthens that mission and opens new opportunities for our athletes,” he stated.
Beyond elite competition, the MoU places strong emphasis on grassroots development. Through the partnership, badminton will be introduced to more schools, communities, and Special Olympics programmes nationwide, creating sustainable pathways for athletes with intellectual disabilities to discover and develop their talents.
Coaches, teachers, and technical officials will also benefit from specialised training programmes designed to improve the delivery of inclusive badminton across Ghana, ensuring athletes receive quality instruction regardless of their abilities.
The collaboration builds on Special Olympics Ghana’s longstanding commitment to promoting inclusion through sport and education. Together with the Ghana Badminton Association, both organisations aim to create an environment where athletes with intellectual disabilities are empowered to compete, grow, and succeed while promoting friendship, confidence, and equal opportunities.
For the Ghana Badminton Association, the agreement represents another strategic milestone in its mission to expand the sport and ensure every Ghanaian has the opportunity to participate and excel.
Present at the signing ceremony were Ghana Badminton Association President Evans Yeboah, Special Olympics Ghana Board Chairman Dr. Ebenezer Owusu, Alhaji Kamal Sulley of the Ghana Rowing and Canoeing Federation, as well as other distinguished guests and stakeholders from Ghana’s sporting community.
With preparations for the 2027 Special Olympics World Summer Games gathering momentum, the partnership is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening Ghana’s inclusive sports agenda, nurturing future champions, and demonstrating the nation’s commitment to ensuring that no athlete is left behind.
It will be the first time the Special Olympics World Games are hosted in the Southern Hemisphere and in Latin America. The event is expected to bring together more than 6,000 athletes and Unified partners from over 170 countries, competing across 23 sports in a global celebration of inclusion and sporting excellence.