Bangkok to host 2018 Thomas and Uber Cup Finals

Bangkok, Thailand outbid New Delhi, India to stage the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Thomas and Uber Cup finals in 2018.

BWF president, Poul-Erik Hoyer Larsen also announced that the city of Basel in Switzerland would host the BWF World Championships in 2018 although Tokyo, Japan also presented their bidding papers before the BWF Council members, here, today.

He said that two cities in China - Nanjing and Nanning - had been selected to host the BWF World Championships and also the Sudirman Cup mixed team badminton championships in 2019 as both cities were the only ones which made the bidding.

"Before the final voting took place, a long discussion was held between the BWF Council members and also the selection panel to decide which cities deserve to host our major events," Hoyer Larsen told reporters after announcing the winning cities to host the major badminton events in 2018 and 2019, here, today.

"We are looking at a few aspects on every bidding city and if there is any matter arising during the presentation process, the panel selection will discuss it thoroughly before coming to the ultimate decision," the Danish badminton legend added.

Meanwhile, Badminton Association of Thailand vice-president, Paisan Rangsikitpho asserted that they were ready to host the Thomas and Uber Cup finals in 2018 although they submitted the bidding papers to BWF only four weeks ago.

"We are very pleased and honoured to host the Thomas Cup competition for the second time after 1976, besides the Uber Cup for the first time.

"We have selected the renowned Impact Arena in Bangkok as the competition venue for both events and hopefully our teams will do well on our home ground," he said. - BERNAMA