Badminton superpower Indonesia is among the front runners to base itself during the Paris 2024 Olympics at the sports hall being constructed at Chambly in northern France ©Getty Images

Badminton superpower Indonesia is among the front runners to base itself at the sports hall, currently being constructed at Chambly in northern France, during the Paris 2024 Olympics.

While the project in the Oise department is still only a huge construction, it is set to welcome a foreign badminton team in July 2024 in time for the start of the Olympics on the 26th of that month, and Indonesian officials toured the site last December.

The confirmation of interest from Indonesia, which stands second on the all-time badminton Olympic medals table behind China having won eight golds, six silvers and seven bronzes, would be huge news to the Chambly organisers.

A travelling contingent likely to include 16 players, five coaches and 60 related officials would have "a very significant impact", Patrice Lannoy, President of the Badminton Club Chambly Oise - who was among local officials who hosted the Indonesian visit on December 24 last year - told atu.fr.

He said that Canada would also be in the running, adding: "We will have answers in 2023."

Meanwhile the project - due to be completed on June 30 2023 after 17 months of work - has been receiving significant local financial support.

Last month David Lazarus, the Mayor of Chambly, welcomed to the site Florence Bariseau, vice-president of the Regional Council of Hauts-de-France, which has awarded the scheme the Sporting Excellence label, meaning it is now subsidising half the cost of the work - that is, €7.3 million (£6.38 million/$7.2 million) of the €14.6 million (£12.77 million/$14.4 million) estimated total.

Canada's Michelle Li, who won Commonwealth gold in 2014 and Commonwealth silver in Birmingham this summer, could be based at Chambly in northern France during the Paris 2024 Olympics ©Getty Images
Canada's Michelle Li, who won Commonwealth gold in 2014 and Commonwealth silver in Birmingham this summer, could be based at Chambly in northern France during the Paris 2024 Olympics ©Getty Images

Aid from the Oise Departmental Council totalling €1.75 million (£1.53 million/$1.73 million) and the National Sports Agency, totalling €800,000 (£700,000/$790,000) was also paid.

Bariseau praised the involvement of local companies and the plans for energy savings in the design and operation of the building.

"As the amount is substantial, it would have been impossible to do without the help of the region," Lazarus responded.

Built on a 1.16 hectare industrial wasteland in the Zae des Pointes, the sports hall will have a total surface area of 5,000 metres squared.

Its main hall will be able to accommodate five courts for national and international competitions and will rise to nine for training, and there will be a capacity of 972 seats.

A removable 300-seat stand can be installed during major events.

A martial arts dojo is also part of the design and the plans also include a fitness room as well as relaxation areas such as a sauna, clubhouse and bar.