Dubai, UAE – February 26, 2025 – The UAE Badminton Federation is thrilled to announce the appointment of Mr. Michael Noerbaek as its new High-Performance Director, marking a significant step forward in the nation’s preparations for the LA 2028 Olympic Games and the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar 2026. This strategic appointment, supported by direct backing from the Ministry of Sports, aligns with the Federation’s commitment to elevating badminton in the UAE and nurturing world-class talent through the “Badminton Road to LA 2028” and “Road to Dakar 2026” initiatives, following the success of the UAE International Badminton Camp held in December 2024.
Michael Noerbaek is a highly respected figure in the badminton community, known for his dedication to making a positive impact daily. His guiding principle, “WIN-WIN,” emphasizes collaboration and shared success in all endeavors. With an illustrious career spanning more than 30 years, Michael holds the highest elite coaching credentials from Badminton Denmark and has worked as a full-time badminton coach at Trænerskolen Aalborg. His extensive experience includes coaching Team Denmark’s centers and the Danish youth national team, guiding athletes to Olympic and World Cup medals.
M.S. Noura Aljasmi, President of the UAE Badminton Federation, said, “The appointment of Michael Noerbaek as our High-Performance Director is a transformative moment for UAE badminton. His unparalleled expertise, leadership, and commitment to excellence will drive our senior athletes toward Olympic success in LA 2028 and our youth athletes toward excellence in the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar 2026. This move builds on the momentum of our UAE International Badminton Camp, where Michael’s participation, alongside world-class coaches like Kamilla Rytter Pedersen, showcased his ability to inspire and develop talent across all age groups. Michael has already begun his duties by preparing comprehensive training plans, visiting academies and clubs to review training programs, and monitoring the performance of players across various age groups, affirming that the UAE possesses promising athletic talents that require refinement through expertise and necessary skills to achieve our Olympic and youth goals.”
Safa Taryam, Chief Executive Officer of Elite Sport UAE, added, “Michael’s appointment strengthens our partnership with the UAE Badminton Federation to achieve outstanding milestones in badminton. His global experience and innovative approach will enhance our high-performance programs, ensuring sustainable success for both senior and youth UAE athletes on the international stage, as outlined in the ‘Future of Sports Retreat’ vision. This aligns with the Ministry of Sports’ prioritization of badminton as a key Olympic sport, reflecting their commitment to supporting federations and empowering them to achieve prestigious accomplishments in global arenas.”
Michael Noerbaek expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I am honored to join the UAE Badminton Federation and contribute to the ‘Badminton Road to LA 2028’ and ‘Road to Dakar 2026.’ My ‘WIN-WIN’ philosophy will guide our efforts to build a collaborative, high-performing team, unlocking the potential of both senior and youth athletes and achieving mutual success on the global stage. I want to acknowledge the excellent work that federations, academies, clubs, coaches, and others have been doing. Badminton has great potential in the UAE, and I am confident that I can help take the sport to the next level.”
The UAE Badminton Federation, supported by the Ministry of Sports and in partnership with Elite Sport UAE, continues to advance badminton in the UAE, building on initiatives like ‘Shuttle Time’ and the long-standing BWF partnership since 2014. Michael Noerbaek’s leadership will play a pivotal role in achieving the national vision of increasing Olympic-qualified athletes to over 30 by 2031, positioning UAE badminton for global success in both senior and youth competitions. This strategic move is part of the National Sports Strategy 2025–2029, which prioritizes preparing Emirati players for Olympic and Youth Olympic participation as a core objective, while enhancing the UAE’s position as a regional and global sports hub for producing badminton champions. The Federation’s efforts are further bolstered by the establishment of the Badminton Center of Excellence at Hong Xing Academy in Dubai and partnerships with badminton federations in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, providing unprecedented opportunities to develop players according to the highest international standards.