By Duncan Mackay

Yonex India Open 2013April 26 - New Delhi will host the Thomas and Uber Cup finals next year, it has been announced. 


Badminton Association of India (BAI) President Akhilesh Das Gupta sealed the deal at an official signing ceremony between the BAI and Badminton World Federation (BWF) held at the Siri Fort Sports Complex, where the Yonex Indian Open is currently taking place. 

"It has been wonderful experience for BWF to host the ongoing India Open Super Series," said BWF deputy president Paisan Rangsikitpho.

"India is the place where badminton began and we are glad to award our two most prestigious tournaments, the Thomas and Uber Cup finals, to India."

The events next year are due to be held between May 18 and 25.

India signs agreement to host Thomas and Uber Cups Delhi April 26 2013India signs an agreement with the Badminton World Federation to host the 2014 Thomas and Uber Cups in New Delhi

The Thomas Cup, the men's World Team Championships which is named after the late English player Sir George Alan Thomas, was first staged at Preston in 1949 when Malaysia were the winners. 

The Uber Cup, the women's World Team Championships, named after a former British women's player, Betty Uber, has been held since 1957, when the finals took place in Lytham St Annes, with the United States beating Denmark in the final.

The Thomas Cup, held every three years initially, was the BWF's first major international tournament.

The Uber Cup finals have been held alongside the men's competition since 1984 with both taking place biennially since then.

They were last held in 2012,at Wuhan in China, when the hosts won both tournaments.

"We assessed India's bid and are happy with their technical capabilities of hosting the prestigious Thomas Cup and Uber Cup finals," said BWF secretary general Thomas Lund.

"We have seen the rising standard of the tournaments held in India over the years and are confident about their capabilities."

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