Just four tournaments remain on the 12-stop badminton World Superseries calendar for 2014 before the highest ranked players converge on Dubai's Hamdan Sports Complex from December 17 to 21 to compete for a share of the $1 million (£610,000/€780,000) prize purse.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the World Superseries Finals are due to be staged in Dubai each December until 2017 as part of a four-year partnership, facilitated by Falcon and Associates, with the BWF.

Only the eight top-ranked players from the Destination Dubai Superseries rankings in men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles and mixed doubles will earn a place at the big-money tournament.

Sporting brand Yonex has been announced as the event's official equipment supplier.

"Badminton is an exciting, fast-paced game and there are no better ambassadors to promote the sport around the world than its top players," said BWF secretary general Thomas Lund.

"The partnership with Dubai represents a key opportunity for us to gain exposure for the increasingly popular MetLife World Superseries in a growing market and align ourselves with Dubai, whose global connectivity, accessibility and track record in hosting world-class sporting events will make badminton accessible to more fans around the world."

BWF secretary general Thomas Lund, Dr Ahmad Saad Al Sharif, secretary general of Dubai Sports Council, and Peter Gade, Danish former world number one, at a press conference in Dubai ahead of the BWF Destination Dubai World Superseries Finals ©BWF



Malaysian superstar Lee Chong Wei leads the charge to Dubai for the men, with the defending champion sitting a massive 18,560 ranking points ahead of closest rival, reigning world champion Chen Long of China.

Competition is closer on the women's side as China's 2012 Olympic champion, Li Xuerui, leads former world number one and compatriot Wang Shixian by 6,060 points.

"The World Superseries Finals in Dubai will mark the first time that the event has been held in the MENASA (Middle East, North Africa and South Asia) region, home to one of the world's youngest and fastest growing populations," said Alastair Ruxton, commercial and legal director at Falcon and Associates.

"In addition, the Superseries Finals will further add to Dubai's impressive sporting portfolio which already includes a strong list of high-profile international events."

Tickets for the event are available by clicking here. 

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