Badminton in Dubai will receive a major boost this weekend as the first Shuttle Time Dubai Open kicks off at the Etisalat Academy on Friday (10 October).

The Shuttle Time Dubai Open is the first in a series of tournaments aimed at increasing participation in badminton ahead of this December’s BWF Destination Dubai World Superseries Finals.

This week’s event is open to male and female doubles pairs in the adult and U17 categories, and welcomes all standards of players. Entry is free and the event will be held from 2pm-8pm.

Winning doubles pairs in each category as well as the player who demonstrates the ‘Best Sportsmanship’ throughout the tournament will be rewarded with a coveted spot in a star player clinic during the BWF Destination Dubai World Superseries Finals, at the Hamdan Sports Complex this December.

Each Shuttle Time Dubai Open event will also include coaching sessions where players of all abilities will receive badminton tips and have the chance to participate in fun skill-based games.

The Shuttle Time Dubai Open tournaments are part of Dubai’s four-year, multi-platform partnership with the Badminton World Federation (BWF), the pinnacle of which will be the staging of the annual BWF Destination Dubai World Superseries Finals, which will be held in the city each December until 2017.

The BWF Destination Dubai World Superseries Finals will see the eight top players in the BWF Destination Dubai Rankings in singles, doubles and mixed doubles categories compete at the Hamdan Sports Complex from December 17-21 for a share of a million dollar jackpot.

To qualify for Dubai the players will have had to perform at their best in the twelve MetLife BWF World Superseries Tournaments held around the world throughout the year.

Dr Ahmed Al Sharif, Secretary-General of Dubai Sports Council said: “The Shuttle Time Dubai Open tournaments are an ideal way to encourage greater levels of badminton participation and performance across Dubai through enjoyable and friendly competition.

"The Shuttle Time Dubai programme is a key element of our association with the BWF and aims to encourage people from all walks of life regardless of age, ability and fitness level to play badminton as a fun way to be more active. It also allows us to identify and develop talented players for the future.”

To register for the Shuttle Time Dubai Open, please email info@shuttletimedubai.ae including the following details: name, age, nationality and contact phone number. Entries will be on a first-come-first-served basis.