All eyes will be on China at the Nongnooch International Convention Exhibition Centre in the Chonburi District of Pattaya – the venue for the  BWF Thailand Para International 2023 competition from 9 to 14 May.

Qu Zimo, Liu Yutong and Mai Jianpeng will lead China back into the international arena for the first time in almost two years since their last court appearance at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

Competition is expected to be fierce as there is no shortage of world and Paralympic champions in the lineup with this year’s edition attracting 347 entries from 34 countries.

India have fielded more than 60 players, including headliners Pramod Bhagat, Nagar Krishna, Manasi Girishchandra Joshi and Manisha Ramadass.

World champion Daiki Kajiwara (Japan) will be looking to continue his winning streak along with teammates Sarina Satomi and Yuma Yamazaki.

Norway’s Helle Sofie Sagoy and Ukraine’s Oksana Kozyna are both looking fit and ready to take on the competition as are Sweden’s Rickard Nilsson and England’s Daniel Bethell.

There are also a number of young up and coming players to keep track of including Miles Krajewski, 17-years-old and representing USA, as well as 16-year-old Maud Lefort of France.

The hall is new and large, larger than most Para badminton players have ever seen or played in. The floor-to-ceiling LED scoreboards and screens, 10 match courts, four practice courts and two warm-up courts may all seem overwhelming at first but some players are impressed.

“It’s a different feeling playing in such a big hall but it’s comfortable and special. There are so many courts so I don’t think there will be any delay in matches,” said Thailand’s Chanida Srinavakul, who won last year’s SL3-SU5 women’s doubles with Saensupa Nipada.

“All the courts, including for practice and warm-up, are inside the hall and all facilities are on one level such as the athlete’s lounge, dining area, wheelchair storage and repair. There is definitely a lot of space,” said Tournament Director Paisan Rangsikitpho.