Defending titleholders China have been drawn into Group A for the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championship during a form in host megacity Dubai.

The Emirati megacity also saw the unearthing of the jewel at the event which was hosted by President of the Emirates Badminton Federation Noura Al Jasmi, clerk general of the Dubai Sports Council Saeed Hareb, and Jassem Kanso,vice-president of the Badminton World Federation among others.

” We’re proud that the first major badminton event in Asia will be held in West Asia,” said Asian Badminton Federation President Anton Sopowo.

” Hosting the 2023 Asian Mixed Team Championship in Dubai will produce new excitement among the sharing members, especially more importantly, this event will be a major donation to the growth of badminton in the West Asian region, and this is the first time that the UAE will host the Asian Badminton Championship, which will gain it significance as a qualifying window for the Olympic Games.”

China are set to meet South Korea, Singapore, and Uzbekistan at the event which is listed to take place from February 14 to 19.

Malaysia are the top seeds in Group B and face a tough draw against India, Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates.

Group C is an anomaly and features five brigades- Indonesia, Thailand, Bahrain, Syria, and Lebanon.

Japan, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, and Pakistan also make up GroupD.

” Badminton enjoys great interest in the United Arab Emirates in general, and in Dubai in particular, as it’s an Olympic sport,” said Hareb.

” Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen, who trained in Dubai, managed to win the gold order at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and we hope that this crown will inspire a number of youthful men and women in the country to exercise and develop in it, leading to honourable representation of the country in World Crowns and Olympic events.

” The organisation of the event in Expo City will increase the splendour of the competitions, and will inspire the challengers to present their stylish.

” We support all sweats to spread this sport and give means of success for its crowns in cooperation with the UAE Badminton Federation, which will contribute to enhancing the diversity that the Dubai Sports Council is keen on.”