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ABU DHABI - Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Abu Dhabi Masters 2023, organised by Abu Dhabi Sports Council and 316Sports, will take place from 17-22 October 2023 at the Marina Hall at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
The inaugural Abu Dhabi Masters tournament, the first World Tour badminton event in the Middle East, will feature a prize pool of AED400,000+.
The event will feature 232 players from 48 countries, including the world's top 50-ranked athletes, and will offer points for international athletes in the running to qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics taking place in Paris, France.
Abu Dhabi Masters 2023 will feature six days of competition, with more than 166 matches across five disciplines, men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles.
The event will also provide a platform for the UAE’s top players and emerging Emirati talent to compete against elite athletes across all five categories of the competition.
During the event, Abu Dhabi Masters 2023 will also feature a community activation area for visitors, showcasing the sport to the public attending from Abu Dhabi and internationally.
The event was announced during a press conference held at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council headquarters in the presence of Noura Al Jasmi, President of the UAE Badminton Federation and Vice President of Badminton Asia, Ahmed Al Qubaisi, Executive Director of Supports Services at Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and Samih Al Maysari, CEO of 316 Sports Services, alongside a number of administrators and media representatives.
Al Jasmi elaborated on the significance of hosting the first international badminton tournament of its kind in Abu Dhabi, especially with the world’s elite players gathering to compete for the championship title.
Al Jasmi emphasised that the Abu Dhabi Masters Championship would be the gateway which the federation aspires to host more world championships in the coming years, while praising their partnership with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council that is working to expand the participation of badminton across the country.
Al Jasmi also expressed her hope in UAE badminton talents participating at major international tournaments in the future.
Ahmed Al Qubaisi, said: “The Abu Dhabi Sports Council, within its strategy and objectives to support sports and athletes, is keen to provide the necessary support for the Abu Dhabi Masters Badminton Championship, in which 232 male and female players from 43 countries around the world will participate.
“We are proud to provide everything necessary to achieve the successes expected from hosting, in cooperation with all our partners.
“With the combined efforts of everyone involved, we are all confident that this tournament in Abu Dhabi will contribute to consolidating the emirate’s position as a global destination for hosting the finest international sporting events.
“We welcome all participants from all countries of the world and wish them good luck in the upcoming tournament, and we wish everyone, including players, administrators, coaches, and the organisers a nice stay in Abu Dhabi, the forum for international sports competitions.”
Jaafar Ibrahim, Director of Development at the International Badminton Federation, described the Abu Dhabi Masters Championship as an exceptional event, especially since it will contribute greatly to the development of the game not only in the emirates, but also in the region, given that it is the only international tournament in the Middle East conducted within the International Federation World Championship.
Ibrahim said: “The importance of the tournament lies in it being a cornerstone of the development of badminton in the UAE in general and Abu Dhabi in particular. It is complementary to the strategy for promoting racket games and contributes to a broader promotion of badminton among members of society.”
Samih Al Maysari, CEO of 316 Sports Services, said that the establishment of the Abu Dhabi Masters Championship as the only tournament in the Middle East within the global World Tour championship series is a testament to the region's growing influence in the world of badminton.
Al Maysari said: “The tournament serves as a crucial milestone for players, offering prestigious points in the race towards the 2024 Paris Olympics,” he added. “The Abu Dhabi Masters Championship is a platform for the best players in the Emirates, the Arab world and emerging Emirati talents, who will compete in five exciting competitions.”
The tournament will comprise 166 matches, in which male and female players will compete in five categories: Men's Singles, Women's Singles, Men's Doubles, Women's Doubles, and Mixed Doubles.
