Greenland is to host the Arctic Winter Games 2016 next week. It is the biggest sporting event held in Greenland ever. 2000 participants from Alaska, Yukon, North West Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik, Alberta North, Sapmi (Finland), Yamal (Russia) and Greenland are coming to Nuuk from 6-11 March.

Badminton has been a part of the Arctic Winter Games since the start in 1970 and Greenland has won all gold medals in the two previous games. Badminton Kalaallit Nunaat is entering the games with 8 players, of which 6 also participated in 2014. ´We will work hard on repeating our success from the previous games; winning all the gold medals at grab again this year, ´stated Michael Kleist, President of Badminton Kalaallit Nunaat positively.

Guests from abroad will travel to Kangerlussuaq on Saturday and continue on the biggest air bridge in Greenland history. Air Greenland has to fly 34 times from Kangerlussuaq to Nuuk to commute more than 1000 participants before the games start.

Coming to Nuuk is challenging, not only for our guests from abroad, but also for our local players.

Travel started yesterday (2 March) and they will return home on 15 March. Another challenge for the Arctic Winter Games this year is our weather. Danish Weather Service DMI is supporting the games with a special Arctic Winter Games weather forecast.

To see a detailed weather forecast for Nuuk, click here.

Greenland will be represented by 8 players, 4 girls and 4 boys in two age groups. From these 8 players, Cecilie Josefsen (pic) and Nuka Mark Nielsen (pic) are both playing again this year and have both been on the Island Games 2015 team. The players representing Greenland are from Kangaatsiaq, Qaqortoq, Paamiut and Nuuk. Besides that, Michael Kleist has also been appointed as the referee for the badminton tournament.

As a preparation for the umpires, Badminton Kalaallit Nunaat had an English course during our Nationals last year with Preben Noies from Badminton Danmark as instructor and 10 umpires have been selected to the Arctic Winter Games 2016.

To visit the official Arctic Winter Games 2016 website, click here.

To follow the updates from this event, check Badminton Kalaallit Nunaat´s website and their Facebook page.

Article and photo by Badminton Kalaallit Nunaat