Abhinav Manota - Tokyo 2020 Olympic Dream Campaign

I have been playing Badminton for the last 14 years of my life. I have always had a dream to compete in the Olympics one day.

I am on a pursuit to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games for my sport of Badminton. To qualify to represent New Zealand in badminton at the Olympics, I need to be the highest ranked player in the Oceania Confederation through the BWF World Ranking system at the end of Olympic qualification (30th April 2020). The top ranked player in each of the five disciplines (Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Singles, Women’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles) from each of the five Olympic Confederations receive an invitation to the Olympic Games. Qualifying will require competing in ranking tournaments all over the world to become not only the highest ranked male in Oceania, but also high enough to warrant selection from the NZ Olympic committee.

Badminton is a minority sport in New Zealand with Badminton NZ receives Zero high performance funding, which means these trips are self funded. So I am asking from the bottom of my heart, if you can help me along my journey, and give me the opportunity to chase this dream, I will (already am) put my ALL into this process.

I have won Oceania Championships in Men's Singles Category in 2018 and I also participated In World Championships in 2018. Early this year, my doubles partner and I won the silver medal in the Dutch International Series in Men's Doubles Category.

I'm prepared to do what it takes to qualify, and any contribution big or small will be a huge help for me to wear Silver Fern and take on the world at the International events.