Badminton Australia withstood a strong challenge from BADMINTONscotland as both BWF member associations presented bids to BWF Council members in the Peruvian capital Lima, where the world governing body is holding its year-end meetings.

The biennial event, otherwise known as the World Mixed Team Championships, is due to be staged in May 2017 in conjunction with the BWF Annual General Meeting.

The yet-to-be-built Carrara Sport and Leisure Centre, which will host the badminton competition at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, has been unveiled as the tournament venue.

It will be the first time the event has been held in a Continental Confederation other than Asia or Europe since its inception in 1989, when 28 national teams competed.

Named after Dick Sudirman, a former Indonesian badminton player and the founder of the Badminton Association of Indonesia, the event now attracts more than 50 national teams.

Holders China are nine-time champions, Korea have won the Cup three times while Indonesia were crowned the inaugural winners of one of the most prestigious titles in the sport.

Paul Brettell, chief executive of Badminton Australia, said the 2017 BWF Sudirman Cup in the Gold Coast will give the country a profile ©BWF




"We are absolutely delighted to have won and that BWF has recognised the Oceania confederation," said Badminton Australia chief executive Paul Brettell, who was accompanied in Peru by colleagues as well as officials from Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ).

"This is significant for us because we have a partner [TEQ] who is not only committed to the Sudirman Cup but to the development of badminton overall.

"We needed a big event like this to give us a profile that will attract sponsors and give us the opportunity to deliver something really big."

TEQ outlined the extent of Gold Coast's commitment to the campaign as well as what the city offers as an international destination.

Glasgow had hosted a successful Commonwealth Games, where badminton was among the top attractions.

In announcing the successful bid, BWF President Poul-Erik Høyer stressed how difficult the decision had been.

"We have been impressed by the competent and exciting bids which have been presented here today," Høyer told the prospective hosts, moments before revealing the outcome.

"Clearly both your organisations and your respective host cities have significant experience in staging world-class events.

"Add to that the enthusiasm and desire you have shown in this process and it has all made for a tough decision for us BWF Council members."

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