Huelva will host the N4 Master for under-15 and under-19 categories, 'Ciudad de Huelva', this weekend on 31 October and 1 November. The event, taking place at the Carolina Marín Sports Palace, will see 184 athletes from 52 teams across Spain compete in one of the country's prominent badminton tournaments.
This competition has been a staple in Huelva for nearly 20 years, showcasing the city's organisational capabilities and its role in the sport. Local representation will include some of Spain's rising badminton stars.
María de la O Rubio, Huelva's councillor for Sports, Health and Consumption, expressed gratitude to the Spanish and Andalusian Badminton Federations for their continued trust in the city to host such a significant event. She emphasised that the event's longevity reflects Huelva's experience and ability to organise large-scale sporting events.
Rubio also highlighted the importance of collaboration between public administrations and private entities in making such events possible. She noted the positive impact on the local economy, hospitality, and commerce, as well as the promotion of tourism in Huelva.
The councillor remarked that badminton is an integral part of Huelva's sporting identity, with international star Carolina Marín as a key figure and two local clubs competing in the top division. She reaffirmed the municipal commitment to hosting competitions that bring high-level sports closer to the community and provide opportunities for young athletes. Rubio encouraged local residents to attend the tournament to support their representatives.
Juan Daniel Romero, the provincial deputy for Sports, praised the vibrant badminton scene in Huelva, noting the sport's ability to unite people of all ages and abilities. He invited citizens to enjoy the high level of competition, which may feature future stars of Spanish sports.
Pastora Giménez, the territorial delegate for Culture, Historical Heritage and Sports of the Junta de Andalucía, stressed the importance of such events for grassroots sports development and the personal and athletic growth of young participants. She highlighted the involvement of athletes linked to the Badminton Technification Centre and the Educational Sports Excellence Centre in Huelva, for whom the championship represents a chance to test their skills in a national competition.
Juan Carlos Longo, president of the Andalusian Badminton Federation, noted that the Master has been held in Huelva since around 2007 and has become a regular feature on the national calendar. The event is part of the ranking system that determines qualification for the Spanish Championships, which explains the high participation this year, with 184 athletes competing.
Longo expressed appreciation for the support from institutions and private sponsors, announcing that the Spanish Federation has confirmed another edition of the Master for 2027, along with the hosting of the Under-17 Spanish Championship in Huelva next year.
The tournament is organised by the Spanish and Andalusian Badminton Federations, with sponsorship from the Junta de Andalucía's Department of Culture, Historical Heritage and Sports, the City Council, and the Provincial Council of Huelva. Its continuation reflects the institutional and sporting collaboration that allows the city to host national and international events.
The competition will feature 263 entries across the under-15 and under-19 categories, with 103 male and 81 female players. Of the 52 participating teams, 20 will be from Andalusia, while others will come from regions including Castilla-La Mancha, Aragón, the Canary Islands, Murcia, the Basque Country, Castilla y León, Galicia, Madrid, the Balearic Islands, the Valencian Community, Catalonia, and Asturias.
Huelva will be represented by clubs IES La Orden and Bádminton Huelva, whose players have a chance to reach the podium, alongside athletes linked to the Technification Centre. The presence of these local young talents highlights the grassroots work supporting badminton in Huelva and enables new athletes to follow in the footsteps of icons like Carolina Marín.
The tournament will commence on Saturday, 31 October, at 09:00 and will run until approximately 21:00, when the semi-finalists will be determined. Semi-finals and finals will take place on Sunday, 1 November, starting at 09:00, with the medal ceremony scheduled around 13:00.
