The joint project between SOLIBAD and the Foundation "Peace and Sport", called “1,000 rackets for Haiti” aims to collect Badminton equipment around the world to help 8 to 20 year-old Haitian youngsters living in survivor camps to overcome their trauma and to resume living together in confidence.

UPDATE - April 2011

The project is now entering a second phase, where we plan to have another coaching lesson with one of our Ambassadors. This time, Solibad will be financing the whole coaching session, after PEace and Sport had been financing the first one. The idea is now to build on the grounds that had been set up during our first mission. A field trip is scheduled in the summer of 2011 with the same number of coaches  and PE teacher from all over Haiti (around 20) so that they have the tools and the knowledge.

In Parallel, some joint efforts are put to try to build some badminton clubs in Haiti, which would be the first steps towards a National Federation which will eventually become a new member of the BWF.

The 700 rackets + equipment have now reached Haiti and are ready to be used.

“1,000 rackets for Haiti” was born when Raphael Sachetat President and Found er of Solibad, heard through the Badminton World Federation’s development officers about Peace and Sport’s appeal to the sports world. He immediately contacted Peace and Sport and offered to organize the collection of badminton equipment.

Under the auspices of the Haitian Olympic Committee

After the earthquake of January 12, the HOC launched a program called “Sports Activities for Young People” in collaboration with UNICEF. The aim of this program is to supervise 100,000 of the most disoriented young people (aged 8 to 20) through daily sports activities as well as providing psychosocial and educational support.

Activities include football, volleyball, basketball, judo, gymnastics, chess, tennis and, of course badminton. Structured practice of these disciplines is designed to overcome the trauma and facilitate social reintegration of the youngsters involved.

Peace and Sport, a Monaco-based international organization, founded by 4 times Olympian and World Champion in Modern Pentathlon Joël Bouzou, under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II, has been officially commissioned by the HOC to coordinate international aid from the global sports movement for this program. The number one priority is collecting any kind of sports equipment, new or used, that can be used in the program.

Iranian badminton player Kaveh Mehrabi has spontaneously offered to get involved and be the link between the badminton community and Peace and Sport’s actions. Already a “Champion of Peace” - a club of 40 high-level athletes supporting Peace and Sport’s worldwide activities – Kaveh is enthusiastic about the undeniable benefits of sport in giving guidance to young people.

Thanks to Kaveh’s charisma and generous personality, and through Solibad’s network, it is hoped that a first donation of rackets, nets and other equipment (T-shirts, sport clothing, etc) that they have collected can be sent in April. The HOC badminton classes in camps can then get underway.