In 2020, a total of seven BWF international events were cancelled in Oceania due to COVID-19. While all sports continue to adapt with the complications caused by the global pandemic, badminton has displayed promising signs of a return following recent events in Europe and the upcoming Asian Leg of BWF HSBC World Tour tournaments and World Tour Final to see in the New Year.
Badminton Australia aspires to follow suit as two badminton associations openly welcomed their sanction onto the tournament calendar; one of which will be making its debut.
Bendigo Badminton Association are preparing to welcome international players to their arena for the first time from 16 – 19 September 2021 at the Bendigo International 2021. The BWF International Series tournament will be offering $10,000 in prize money.
Meanwhile, the Sydney International 2021 will return to the inspirational surroundings of Sydney’s Olympic Park from 22 – 26 September 2021 as a BWF Future Series event, offering $5000 USD in prize money.
“We are excited about these scheduled events and international events returning to Australia in the second half of 2021 and the athletes can get back on court in high level competition”, says Badminton Australia CEO, Jamie Parsons.
Moreover, events representative on Badminton Oceania’s Executive Board, Loke Poh Wong, is thrilled by the prospect of badminton’s growth in Australia following previous successful events.
“It is great to welcome Bendigo to hosting an international badminton event, with Sydney being an experienced and successful host for many past internationals, Bendigo will now have the opportunity to showcase their new Stadium and an enthusiastic organising team”, says Loke Poh.
Both events were originally part of the Oceania Tour 2020, which made an emphatic return in 2019 as Oceania played host to over ten events in 2019 – eight of which were eligible to the Oceania Tour which was eventually won by all-Australian players.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome international badminton back to this side of the world. We hope to reprise the Oceania Tour when we are confident that the initiative can hold the most value for our region’s top performing players”
“In the meantime, we look forward to working with the organisers at Bendigo and Sydney to plan for their events next September“, says Badminton Oceania CEO, Julie Carrel.
For more updates on tournaments in Oceania and the Oceania Tour, subscribe to our eNewsletter and keep your eyes peeled on social media.
