2032 High Performance Plan
Ghana Badminton: High Performance Pathway
Badminton has the power to captivate, inspire and engage players and audiences in ways no other sport or media can compete with.
Ghana Badminton High Performance Programme
The Ghana Badminton High Performance Programme is designed to support athletes who have the realistic potential to win medals at the African Youth Championships, African Championships, Commonwealth Games, and to compete for qualification for the LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
The programme and selection standards reflect the key objectives of Ghana Badminton’s strategic plan: to develop world-class athletes, build medal-winning capabilities on the African and World stage, and ensure a sustainable pathway from youth to elite performance.
Pathway Guiding Principles
To achieve our vision, our pathway is built upon a foundation of core principles that guide every decision and program:
Clarity of Purpose: Every athlete, coach, and stakeholder understands our collective goals and the roadmap to achieving them.
Seamless Transition: Our system provides a clear, logical progression for players moving between clubs, regional academies, national camps, and the senior team.
Developmentally Appropriate: Training, competition, and benchmarks are tailored to the physical, technical, and psychological stage of each athlete’s journey.
Athlete-Centred: We prioritize player welfare, listen to their voices, and involve them in shaping their own development.
Holistic Development: We foster growth by addressing the interconnected biological, psychological, tactical, social, and environmental factors that shape a champion.
Life in Balance: We recognize and support the importance of education, family, and personal interests, understanding that a well-rounded individual makes a resilient athlete.
Evidence-Based Identification: Our talent identification process is informed by data, modern scouting techniques, and a deep understanding of long-term athletic potential.
Collaborative Ecosystem: We foster a culture of shared best practices, with our performance team working hand-in-hand with clubs, schools, universities, and regional associations to build a unified talent network.
Aims of the Pathway
Our high-performance programs are designed to deliver measurable outcomes for Ghanaian badminton:
Produce Champions: Develop senior athletes capable of winning medals at major continental championships, World Championships, and the Olympic Games.
Enrich Lives: Provide transformative experiences that build character, resilience, and life skills that extend far beyond the court.
Ensure Sustainable Engagement: Create clear and supportive pathways for athletes transitioning from competition, fostering lifelong involvement in badminton as coaches, administrators, or ambassadors.
Develop Expert Coaches: Cultivate a network of specialized coaches equipped with the expertise to guide athletes effectively at each critical stage of their development journey.
Ghana Badminton is committed to building a legacy of excellence. This pathway is our blueprint for empowering the next generation of Ghanaian stars.
Programme Benefits
Athletes selected onto the Ghana Badminton High Performance Programme will receive most of the following benefits:
Individual Athlete Plan (IAP) – Developed with the athlete and their personal coach, reviewed twice per year.
Athlete-Coach Point of Contact – Dedicated support throughout the year.
Coaching & Technical Support – Access to coaching at core training hubs.
Regular Communication – Ongoing updates and check-ins with programme staff.
Medical Insurance – Coverage through the Ghana Athlete Medical Scheme (where applicable).
Physiotherapy & Soft Tissue Therapy – On-site and scheduled support.
Strength & Conditioning (S&C) – Personalized S&C programming and monitoring.
Performance Psychology – Mental preparation, resilience, and competition mindset coaching.
Performance Nutrition – Dietary planning for training and competition.
Performance Lifestyle – Support with education, career, and life balance.
Athlete Education Sessions – Includes annual anti-doping education (in line with NADO Ghana).
Coach Development – Access to coaching workshops and support from the performance team.
Financial Support – Additional funding available for international competition, subject to approval by the Ghana Badminton Executive Committee and in agreement with the Ghana Sports Fund.
Programme Objectives
Win multiple medals at the African Youth Championships and African Championships.
Achieve top 120 world ranking and progress towards top 50.
Develop athletes capable of qualifying for LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032.
Build strength in depth across singles and doubles events.
Prepare athletes for the Commonwealth Games and World Championships.
Selection Criteria
Selection into the High Performance Programme is based on a combination of objective results and expert panel assessment. Meeting the minimum standards does not guarantee selection.
Primary Selection Criteria:
Top 12 African ranking in age category.
Top 8 finish or higher at African Youth Championships.
Two or more medals at age-group youth events (U15 or above).
Winner of National Championships (Singles or Doubles) – 2025/26.
Tracking for Olympic qualification (LA 2028 / Brisbane 2032).
Committed to working with a multi-disciplinary performance team.
Secondary Selection Criteria (panel consideration):
Performances at National Championships (U15 / U19 / Senior).
Domestic and international results.
Training hours (minimum 30+ hours per week where applicable).
Attitude, behaviours, and psychological robustness.
Athlete potential and trajectory (U17 to U19 progression).
Injury and training history.
Lifestyle, environment, and ability to engage with national commitments.
Programme Structure
| Squad | Age Range | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Ghana Hopes Programme | U15 | Talent identification and foundation |
| Sporting Excellent Talent Squad | 16–19 | Development and international exposure |
| Elite Squad (Launching Q2 2026) | 12–18 | High performance and medal pathway |
| Ghana Senior Training Programme | 19+ | Olympic and Commonwealth Games preparation |
Important Notes
Meeting the performance standards does not guarantee a place on the programme.
Final selections are made by the Ghana Badminton Performance Panel, with overall reporting to the President.
Athletes must commit to national training, competition schedules, and anti-doping requirements.
Para-athletes on the Ghana Badminton Para Pathway will also be considered under adapted criteria.
Application & Enquiries
Athletes who meet the minimum entry requirements may be considered through:
Open application process (for Elite Squad)
Recommendation by national coaches
Performance at talent ID camps and national championships
For more information, please contact the Ghana Badminton Performance Department at: bag@ghanabadminton.org
Click here to download Our 2028 Pathway Plan Here
National Programme Squad Selection Standards 2026/27
