Dear all,
As people gather with family and friends, I want to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year. This is always a hopeful time, as we celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another. Let me take this opportunity of, again, welcoming the new members of the European badminton family who joined us in 2019 and thank all members and partners for their cooperation and support throughout the year.
2020 will be a special year for players and fans, as we look forward to the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo. Following which we will see the historic debut of Para badminton at the Paralympics.
We will also see the eighth edition of the European Men's & Women's Team Championships (EMWTC) take place in Liévin, France in February. The European U15 Championships will be held alongside the EMWTC.
In April, Kiev will host the iconic European Championships shortly after the Annual BEC Congress in Bucharest, Romania. In Bucharest all member associations are invited to attend the Members' Forum, the Annual Delegates Meeting and the Awards Gala. In late June we have the European Club Championships in Białystok, Poland. One of Badminton Europe's most famous activities, the RSL BEC Summer School is back in July where Podcetrtek in Slovenia yet again is welcoming all the participants.
We return to Poland for the European Junior Championships taking place in late October in Gliwice. The European Senior Championships will take place in the autumn, and rounding off a busy year, in December, we have the European Mixed Team Championship first stage in various locations across Europe. A small glimpse of what is just a part of the many things to come in 2020 - certainly a badminton year to be excited about.
Happy New Year, everyone.
Peter Tarcala, Badminton Europe President