The Badminton World Federation (BWF) awarded England the 19th World Championships and the event will come to the capital just a year before the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The bid has received strong financial backing from UK Sport’s World Class Events Programme and has also been supported by the Sports Minister, Gerry Sutcliffe MP, The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone and London 2012 Chairman Lord Coe.

The tournament will benefit from an award of up to £500,000 from UK Sport’s National Lottery backed World Class Events Programme and UK Sport’s International Director, John Scott, was equally delighted that a vital opportunity to secure an event of this status had been achieved in the lead up to London 2012:

One of the deciding factors in the successful London bid was Badminton England’s plans to not only welcome the elite players from all over the world but to use the Championships to inspire thousands of people of all ages to get involved in the sport. There will be a London Schools World Championships as well as a big opportunity for badminton enthusiasts to play a part under a major initiative to recruit new coaches and volunteers to the sport.

More at: Badminton England

See also: Tennis 'Masters Cup'