Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has officially unveiled the new members of the BWF Athletes’ Commission for the November 2022–November 2029 term, marking the beginning of a new chapter in athlete representation and governance in world badminton.
The newly appointed Commission consists of five accomplished athletes from across continents, reflecting the sport’s diversity and commitment to inclusivity. In alphabetical order by surname, the members are An Se-young (Korea), Doha Hany (Egypt), Jia Yifan (China), Debora Jille (Netherlands), and Pusarla V. Sindhu (India).
All five athletes were elected automatically, as they were the only nominees for the term. Among them, An Se-young and Jia Yifan, both Paris 2024 Olympic champions, join the Commission for the first time, along with Hany and Jille. Meanwhile, Pusarla V. Sindhu returns for an unprecedented third term, bringing valuable continuity and experience to the team.
A Voice for Athletes Around the World
The BWF Athletes’ Commission serves as a vital consultative body to the BWF Council. It ensures that players’ perspectives and concerns are considered in decision-making processes that shape the sport’s global landscape. The Commission provides input on a range of issues, including rules and regulations, athlete welfare, competition structures, and life after retirement.
In the coming weeks, members will elect a Chair and Deputy Chair. The elected Chair will subsequently take a voting seat on the BWF Council, following a vetting process, giving athletes a direct voice in the sport’s top decision-making body.
BWF President Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul emphasized the Commission’s importance, stating:
“Athletes are the heart of our sport, and their voices must be central to every decision we make. The BWF Athletes’ Commission ensures that our global badminton community is shaped by those who live and breathe the game. Together, we’ll work to make badminton one of the world’s leading sports.”
She congratulated the new members and expressed confidence in their leadership and contributions to shaping badminton’s future.
Meet the New BWF Athletes’ Commission Members
An Se-young (Korea)
The reigning Olympic champion in women’s singles, An Se-young, is already one of badminton’s brightest stars. The Korean ace made history by becoming the first Korean women’s singles player to win the BWF World Championships in 2023 and also captured gold at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games. Her dominance extended to team events, where she helped Korea win the Uber Cup and Asian Games team titles.
An, who was named BWF Most Promising Player of the Year (2019) and Female Player of the Year (2023 and 2024), brings both youth and experience to the Commission. Her advocacy centers on injury prevention, safe training environments, and better opportunities for young athletes, particularly through programs that reduce financial barriers to international exposure.
“I want to use my experience to make badminton safer and more accessible for young players everywhere,” An said in a recent statement.
Doha Hany (Egypt)
Representing Africa, Doha Hany has been a trailblazer for her continent. Since her international debut in 2013, she has achieved several firsts, including becoming the first African badminton player to compete in three disciplines (women’s singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles) at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Hany has collected an impressive 27 medals at the African Championships—including seven golds—and represented Egypt at multiple World Championships and the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympics. Her accolades also include the Badminton Africa Special Achiever Award (2021) and three Presidential Medals of Honour from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
A proud role model and advocate for inclusion, Hany hopes to inspire the next generation of African athletes and highlight badminton as a sport that welcomes all, regardless of background, gender, or attire.
“As a hijab-wearing athlete, I want to show that badminton is fair, inclusive, and for everyone,” she said.
Jia Yifan (China)
A powerhouse in doubles, Jia Yifan is a four-time World Champion and Paris 2024 Olympic gold medallist in women’s doubles. With 46 international titles to her name, she is among the most decorated athletes in modern badminton history.
Beyond her playing career, Jia has demonstrated leadership as Director of the Athletes’ Committee of the Chinese Badminton Association and captain of the Chinese women’s national team. She is also pursuing a doctorate in Sports Sociology at Jilin University, giving her a unique perspective on athlete welfare and development.
Jia’s focus as a Commission member includes addressing physical and mental demands on athletes, improving competition schedules, and advocating for injury prevention. She aims to bridge science, policy, and experience to support badminton players worldwide.
Debora Jille (Netherlands)
Representing Europe, Debora Jille brings nearly a decade of experience on the international circuit. Competing primarily in women’s and mixed doubles, she has won silver at the 2023 European Games and bronze medals at the 2019 European Mixed Team Championships and 2024–2025 European Championships.
Off court, Jille is a strong advocate for gender equality, diversity, and athlete welfare. She founded the Women’s Badminton Collective, an initiative aimed at promoting inclusivity and professional development within the sport.
As a member of the Athletes’ Commission, she aims to strengthen programs related to mental health, safe environments, and post-career support, ensuring that every player feels valued beyond competition.
“I want badminton to be more professional, sustainable, and accessible for everyone,” Jille stated.
Pusarla V. Sindhu (India)
A global icon and two-time Olympic medallist, Pusarla V. Sindhu brings unparalleled experience to her third term on the Commission. With Olympic silver (Rio 2016) and bronze (Tokyo 2020) medals, plus a World Championship gold (2019), Sindhu remains one of the most successful players in badminton history.
Her long list of honors includes India’s highest sporting award, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2016), and the Padma Bhushan (2020). She has also been named BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year and has served as a BWF Integrity Ambassador since 2020.
Sindhu’s focus lies in creating an inclusive, supportive environment for players of all backgrounds and helping shape the future of badminton governance with integrity and empathy.
“It’s an honor to continue representing athletes on a global stage,” she said. “Together, we can ensure every player feels respected, supported, and empowered.”
A Diverse and Inclusive Future
The new Commission, representing Asia, Europe, and Africa, embodies the sport’s truly global reach. According to BWF’s constitution, the body may also appoint a co-opted sixth member, subject to the President’s approval, to ensure diversity in gender, region, or discipline.
As the Commission begins its work, it carries the collective goal of strengthening the athlete–leadership connection, ensuring that badminton continues to evolve as a sport that listens to its players, values their experiences, and champions their welfare both on and off the court.