BADMINTON England are celebrating another major triumph today (Tues) after BADMINTON Europe awarded Liverpool the European Mixed Team Championships for 2009 and Manchester the European Individual Championships for 2010.

It is the first time the European Championships have been separated into two elements and the Mixed Team Championships mark the first time Liverpool have staged a major badminton event.

Manchester, of course, have the recent success story of the 2002 Commonwealth Games to draw on and today's announcement provides the perfect launchpad for the 2008 English National Championships to be staged at the Velodrome in Manchester's SportCity from February 1-3.
 
The decision by BADMINTON Europe comes barely a month after the Badminton World Federation awarded London the 2011 World Individual Championships and provides real impetus for the sport in England in the Olympic countdown to London 2012.

Cllr Mike Kane, Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Arts & Leisure, said: "Manchester is delighted to have been awarded the 2010 European Individual Badminton Championships a result of a successful and unique bid in partnership with our neighbours Liverpool plus UK Sport and the Northwest Regional Development Agency.

"The City is committed to sport and to major events, recognising both the economic and social benefits that they deliver to Manchester residents and communities. The awarding of the 2010 Championships is also reward for Manchester's continued support of badminton and our hosting of the National Championships in February 2008.

"The event will also serve to continue the momentum of Manchester World Sport 08, which will see the City host six world-class sporting events in 2008."

For further information contact:

Councillor Mike Kane, Executive Member for Arts & Leisure
& Labour Member for the Northenden Ward
Executive Members' Office, Manchester City Council,
room 203, Town Hall, Manchester, M60 2LA
Tel:  0161 234 1833   (Internal Only 800 1833)   Fax:  0161 234 3356
Email:  cllr.m.kane@manchester.gov.uk
Website:  www.manchester.gov.uk