The European contingent, represented by 122 players from 20 countries is the largest participating continent in the Championships. As all Member Associations are working hard towards the integration of para-badminton, Badminton Europe Confederation (BEC) is pleased with the increase of participation at the World Championships this year.

On this matter, Joăo Matos, BEC Vice President and Chair of the BEC Para-Badminton Commission shares, `Europe is well represented with half of the total of participating countries and players. England is present with the biggest number from our continent followed by France and Turkey. With such quantity and certainly quality we will have an opportunity to see exciting matches that will hopefully bring great results.` 

This phenomenon is a positive sign and very important as all para-badminton players gear to qualify for their very first Paralympic Games in Tokyo in five years´ time. Para-badminton was included into the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in October 2014. Since then, multiple steps have been taken by the BEC Board of Directors and the Para-Badminton Commission in order to improve and develop para-badminton in Europe.

It is definitely not a walk in the park for the European players as they will be up against strong contenders from Asia and Pan America. Although players from Oceania and Africa are not ranked in the top five from the latest World Rankings in all five categories, we must not underestimate the persistence and determination of these players, fighting to be crowned as the World Champions. There were 10 medalling European countries from the 18 participating European countries from the previous edition. 

Joăo Matos added,´This event will be a great opportunity for our para-athlets to compete with players from all the other 4 continents present, in the birthplace of Paralympics. We hope that the European contingent will bring back more medals than the previous edition and equally important is the additional experience our para-athletes will bring home after another great event. Thus, all the best to all the participating players and enjoy some great matches to all the spectators and badminton fans. Last but not least, may Badminton England have a smoothly run event and thanks to all those who have made this event possible.´

On the organization of the World Championships, we spoke to Derek Batchelor, Chair of Badminton England and BEC Para-Badminton Commission member on the organizing process and how his team has handled the workload and different tasks. ´The organisation of the Championships is going well and we have generated a huge amount of excitement and interest around them.  We see the Championships as an opportunity to showcase the World's finest para-badminton athletes and help build their profile ahead of Tokyo 2020.  Alongside the Championships we are offering a range of educational workshops with the twin aims of raising the profile of para-badminton and increasing capacity.  We are also running an outstanding legacy programme both locally and nationally - young people from local schools will be helping to deliver the event. Players can expect a fantastic atmosphere, excellent organisation, and a friendly welcome throughout the Championships. 

Badminton made its maiden medal appearance in the Olympic Games in Barcelona in 1992. Since then badminton has always been in every summer Olympic Games. To top this, the success of the inclusion of para-badminton into the Paralympic Games means that badminton is gaining its popularity and it is moving in the right direction towards ´One Sport, One Team´. 

When asked about the fans´ expectations for the World Championships, Badminton World Federation´s Vice President - Para-Badminton, Paul Kurzo claims, ´Badminton fans around the World can see how dynamic and fast our sport is and I hope that para-badminton will continue to develop with increasing number of players and sponsors for our sport. I am very excited for the event to kick start and I hope for an injury free World Championships and good luck to all the players.´ 

The European contingent and other participants

In a nutshell...