Runners take part in the Hangzhou Marathon. [Photo/hangzhou2022.cn]

The Badminton World Federation announced on Aug 9 that the 2023-2026 BWF World Tour Finals will be held in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province, marking another top-level international sports event to be held in the city following the Asian Games.

The tournament is scheduled to take place from Dec 13 to 17 this year and is expected to attract athletes and fans from around the world.

Thomas Lund, the BWF secretary-general, said that badminton has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the worl. Hangzhou was chosen as the host city due to its excellent sports infrastructure and extensive experience in organizing international events.

Lund expressed his gratitude to the Chinese Badminton Association and the city's government for their support of the sport.

Chairman of the Chinese Badminton Association Zhang Jun expressed his confidence in Hangzhou, citing the city's long-standing tradition of badminton and its enthusiastic grassroots participation.

In recent years, Hangzhou has hosted major sporting events such as the 14th FINA World Swimming Championships, the 5th World Aquatics Championships, and the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) League. The events, along with local favorites such as the Hangzhou Marathon, the International Hangzhou Hiking Challenge, and the Hangzhou Women's Half Marathon, have helped establish Hangzhou as a hub for sports tourism.

The partnership between the BWF and Hangzhou is expected to further enhance the city's reputation as a major sports destination.

A city walk attracts hundreds of participants. [Photo/hangzhou2022.cn]