The Badminton World Federation (BWF) announced on Wednesday that it has taken up the offer from Dubai Sports Council to all Summer Olympic International Federations to set up a regional office within its headquarters at Dubai Design District.

The announcement of the opening of the BWF and Badminton Asia Regional Office followed the official admission of the UAE Table Tennis and Badminton Association as the 187th member of the BWF.

Dawood Al Hajri, President of the UAE Table Tennis and Badminton Association said: “The BWF’s decision to officially recognise the UAE Table Tennis and Badminton Association as a member of the Federation is hugely significant.

“This move indicates the growing profile of the Dubai World Superseries Finals and the emirate’s badminton offering as a whole.”

Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council, added: “Dubai’s geographical location, global connectivity, state-of-the-art infrastructure and tradition of hospitality make it the ideal setting to convene the world of sport.

“As such, we are delighted to see BWF and Badminton Asia use the emirate as a gateway to Asia and look forward to working alongside them both to extend the benefits of badminton to the continent and right across the world.”

Poul-Erik Hoyer, President of the Badminton World Federation said: “We thank Dubai Sports Council for their generosity and look forward to building on the fantastic relationship badminton already enjoys with the emirate.”