The countdown is on to the YONEX BWF World Badminton Championships at Wembley Arena next month as the results of the player draw for the tournament were announced this morning.

Gail Emms, former Olympic silver medallist, celebrated at the Tower of London with two Yeoman of the Guard (Beefeaters), commenting:

“The Championships are a fantastic opportunity for the public to show support for the British athletes.  With excitement building for 2012, the battle for the World Badminton Championships this year is set to be an exciting one, and I know how important our home crowd support will be in getting behind the players.  I urge all badminton fans to lift the roof of the famous Wembley Arena!”

The draw including a tough first round match for British No. 1 Rajiv Ouseph against Danish Peter Gade (who has beaten him six times in the past); Susan Egelstaff of Scotland will play Canadian Michelle Li; and in mixed doubles Nathan Robertson and Jenny Wallwork received a bye into the second round where they will likely face Malaysian players Peng Soon Chan and Liu Ying Goh.

See full results of the draw for English and Scottish players.

YONEX BWF World Badminton Championships 2011, 8-14 Aug 2011. Buy tickets