IBF Training Centres – Opportunity for Players from Around the World The IBF decided at their EGM last year to commit all the current round of IOC money from the Athens Olympic Games (US$6.4m) to development of the sport – and much of this money would be directed towards the Confederations to manage the development at the regional level. One of the IBF initiatives was to set up a number of IBF International Training Centers. These are located in the following places: Saabrucken, Germany Beijing, China Kuala Lumpur Sofia, Bulgaria USA (location to be confirmed) The first two are coming on line in March – the Saabrucken and Sofia facilities. Badminton Australia will nominate two athletes to the OBC for consideration for this first round. Athletes have to be between 18 – 22, top talent in the country, singles players, show long term commitment to badminton and aim to qualify for Beijing 2008. The IBF Training Centers will provide: badminton training consultation – yearly and customized badminton training and conditioning plans high performance consultation and conditioning physiotherapy, massage, relaxation and rehabilitation services research coach education vocational education facilities The OBC is hopeful to get an IBF Training Centre for the region – and hopefully in Australia. Ballarat has bid for this. The OBC delegates visited Ballarat last week to look at the facilities the Badminton Centre and city have to offer. No decision has been made at this stage. Note this information was supplied by Badminton Australia, and does not include the fact that Altona and Sydney also had indicated or had proposals into BA.