the Philippine Badminton Association (PBA) in its effort to promote and develop
badminton in the country particularly among the grassroots, established the Grassroots Development Program (GDP) in 1995.
The GDP serves as the arm of the Association in promoting badminton among the grassroots in the Philippines. The PBA headed
by Mrs. Amelita M. Ramos, appointed Mr. Errol C. Chan a former national player and coach as the founding Chairman of the GDP.
Former national players served as the core of the GDP staff that conducted the seminars and clinics. The pioneering members
of the GDP staff include: Rolando Selga, Berdine Chan, Allan de Leon, Ronald Magnaye, Rocky Magnaye, Noli Cajefe and Malvin
Alcala.
Since its creation, the GDP has conducted seminar-clinics on the fundamentals
of the same as well as coaching and officiating in various regions of the country. They have conducted lectures and training
to schools, colleges and universities. It has also assisted the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) in the
management of the annual Palarong Pambansa as well as the Philippine National Games (PNG) Palaro ng Bayan (PnB) and local
and regional tournaments. Since its inception, the GDP has conducted seminars-clinics in many parts of the country from Luzon,
Visayas and Mindanao.
In 1995 MILO included badminton as one of the summer sports activities sponsored
by company which is conducted every year in various centers in the Philippines. Since then, the GDP and MILO has forged a
strong partnership in the promotion and development of the sport.
The number of badminton enthusiasts has increased tremendously in the last
five years as a result of the active implementation of the program. Likewise, the level of the performance of badminton athletes
during competitions has improved and popularized the sport even in the remotest areas of the country. Many of the athletes
trained by the GDP gained sport scholarships as a result of their performances. Today, badminton is one of the most popular
sports in the Philippines and is included in all levels of competition.
