AirBadminton will make its debut at the ANOC World Beach Games Bali 2023 next year.
The Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) today announced AirBadminton as one of four new sports to be added to the sports programme in 2023.
AirBadminton was chosen based on the fundamental criteria that the programme should include beach sports that can be sustainably delivered and in accordance with the Games’ aim to target the youth and inclusivity.
BWF President Poul-Erik Høyer said this is an important milestone for the sport following AirBadminton’s launch in May 2019.
“We have been working on an outdoor badminton concept for many years now and the acceptance of the competitive version of AirBadminton at the World Beach Games is a signal that the sport is here to stay,” Høyer said.
“The World Beach Games is a unique opportunity to showcase AirBadminton as a dynamic game that is accessible to all.
“AirBadminton on sand delivers an exciting, skilful, intense level of play, and with such a proud history of badminton in Indonesia, we expect our very first World Beach Games appearance in Bali to be a thrilling one.”
BWF recently took AirBadminton to the city of Hamburg in Germany for the first AirBadminton Urban Series event. The next Urban Series tour stop is in September in Utrecht, Netherlands. The Urban Series tournaments are key test events ahead of Bali 2023.
AirBadminton at Bali 2023 will feature 72 athletes (36 men and 36 women) across four medal events: Men’s Triples, Women’s Triples, Mixed Doubles, and the Mixed Team Event.
ANOC Secretary General Gunilla Lindberg said: “We are excited to have AirBadminton part of the ANOC World Beach Games for the first time.
“AirBadminton is a young and dynamic sport which is already gaining a lot of popularity. It is accessible to all and will provide more NOCs with the opportunity to qualify for the ANOC World Beach Games Bali 2023.”
The BWF is finalising a qualification system for the ANOC World Beach Games Bali 2023. Further details will be announced to the BWF Membership in due course.
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