World class Para Badminton events announced on the road to Paris 2024
Badminton Scotland and Badminton England are delighted to confirm that the 4 Nations Para Badminton International has been included in the BWF’s inaugural Para Badminton World Tour.
A key event within the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games qualification period, the UK home nations have joined together to create capacity and legacy to benefit the sport for years to come.
2022 saw Badminton Ireland host the first leg in Dublin and with a successful UK Sport funding bid for the following two years (2023-2024), Sheffield and Glasgow will host the Grade 2 events on the BWF Para Badminton World Circuit.
The world famous Emirates Arena, which has hosted numerous major badminton events including the Scottish Open, the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2017 World Championships, will host the 2024 event from 19-23 June, with Glasgow Life playing a key part in bringing the 4 Nations to Glasgow in 2024.
This year’s event will be held at the English Institute of Sport (EIS) in Sheffield – Home of our GB para-badminton squad, from 2 to 6 August 2023.
As part of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) inaugural Para Badminton World Tour, the 4 Nations is, in terms of prestige, only outshone by the Paralympics and the World Championships.
Keith Russell, CEO of Badminton Scotland said: “Hosting this event in 2024 is a key part of our strategy. It will help us raise the visibility of para-badminton in Scotland and provide us with more opportunities to further develop the sport.
“It has been fantastic to work with UK Sport in order to be able to provide our athletes with the chance to compete on home soil twice in the build-up to the 2024 Paralympic Games and we hope it will help their preparation as they go for gold at Paris 2024.”
Sue Storey, Chief Executive of Badminton England said: “We are delighted to be hosting this para-badminton showpiece event this summer. It is an honour to be able to promote how inclusive the sport of badminton is and how amazing and inspiring our own para athletes are.
“The positive partnership between the UK home nations and our host cities, and our engagement with UK Sport and the BWF on their inaugural Para Badminton World Tour, is something we should all be very proud of.
“I cannot wait to welcome the best in the world to Sheffield and I hope to see many of you there cheering on our athletes as we prepare for Paris 2024!”
Esther Britten, Head of Major Events at UK Sport said: “Funded by The National Lottery, we’ve carefully built a programme of major events that will help GB athletes qualify and prepare for the Paralympic Games. As we continue the journey towards Paris 2024, I’m delighted that we are able to give athletes two opportunities to compete on home soil.”
Glasgow Life Director of Culture, Tourism & Events, Billy Garrett, said: “Glasgow is renowned as one of the world’s leading destinations for major international sporting events. The fact that Glasgow is the first city to be honoured twice as European Capital of Sport title holder is testament to our track record and commitment to ensuring sport is integral to life in Glasgow by actively promoting participation, the wellbeing benefits, and inclusivity.
“We look forward to welcoming the 2024 4 Nations Para Badminton International to the Emirates Arena next June. The event will not only provide another great opportunity for us to further enhance our reputation as an experienced host city for outstanding championships but will also provide an important showcase for badminton, helping the sport build its current and future profile.”
Reflecting further on the close working relationship with Glasgow Life as well as the UK’s governing badminton bodies that has underpinned the successful bid Russell added: “I’d very much like to express my gratitude to Glasgow Life for their continuing support of our sport and Badminton Scotland and for the key part they have played in helping make this all happen.
“This process has also given us the chance to collaborate closely with our colleagues at Badminton England, Badminton Ireland and Badminton Wales and this can only be a positive as we collectively continue to develop badminton throughout the 4 Nations.
“The 2024 event at the Emirates Arena will be hugely important for those on the road to Paris as vital world ranking points will be on offer to support seeding positions as well as player analysis and there is no doubt that will provide an extra dimension to the 4 Nations next year.
“In terms of the Emirates Arena hosting such a prestigious Para Badminton championship this also offers us the perfect opportunity to send a very positive message about the inclusivity of our sport and the key role badminton can play in providing invaluable inspiration to our own para athletes.
“The 4 Nations has also provided us with an exciting opportunity to engage with UK Sport and the BWF on their inaugural Para Badminton World Tour and that is something all the governing bodies are delighted with.”
The full BWF Para-Badminton calendar for 2023 can be viewed here: News | BWF Olympics (bwfbadminton.com)