First time Badminton World Championships to be held in year of Olympics
New Delhi: The badminton world championship slated for August next year in Spain will now take place from November 29 to December 5, the sport's apex body said on Friday, postponing its showpiece event to avoid a clash with the Olympics.
"The Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Spanish Badminton Federation (FESBA) can confirm the BWF World Championships 2021, traditionally scheduled for August, will now take place at the end of 2021 from Monday 29 November to Sunday 5 December," the BWF said in a statement.
The world championship has traditionally been an annual event, which is, however, not held in an Olympic year. But, with the 2020 Tokyo Games postponed to next year owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, it will be the first time that the prestigious event will be conducted in the Olympic year.
The decision means reigning champion P V Sindhu will get a chance to defend her title when the tournament is held at the Carolina Marin Stadium, the arena named after the three-time world champion in her native city of Huelva in Spain.
The BWF added, "the remainder of the 2021 BWF Tournament Calendar is yet to be finalised" and "a further announcement will be made on the qualifying process for next year's Olympic Games, Paralympic Games and World Championships."
Sindhu had claimed the crown last year at Switzerland, while B Sai Praneeth had won a bronze in the tournament, becoming the first Indian male shuttler in 36 years to achieve the feat.
