India wins bid to host 2009 World badminton Championship Kuala Lumpur, Dec. 9 (PTI): India today won the bid to host the 2009 World Badminton Championship, after the the council of the game's governing body unanimously decided in New Delhi's favour. Denmark and Macau, who were also keen to bid for the championship, withdrew their candidature in favour of India. "It will be the first ever world championship (except cricket) given to India to host in all Olympic sports put together," an elated V K Verma, President of the Badminton Association of India and Vice-President of the International Badminton Federation, told PTI here. The IBF has 160 member countries. Verma said the unanimous decision was taken by the IBF members after a presentation by India highlighting the country's tourist attractions, its economic strength, its population base for such events, the proven credibility of Indian establishment and the government's full support. "After receiving the IBF Council's unanimous support, I felt that this event will a great step forward for popularising the sport in India and we hope to produce an Olympic medallist in this field by 2012," Verma said after the IBF council's meeting. The championship is held annually and the hosts are announced four years in advance.