Badminton England to appeal against '˜catastrophic' cuts to the sport's funding

The sport, whose headquarters is based in Loughton Lodge, was one of five to lose backing from UK Sport last week, despite picking up a bronze medal at Rio 2016, courtesy of Marcus Ellis and Chris Langridge’s success in the men’s doubles.

Provided funding to produce Olympic medallists, Badminton England was given £5.74m in the last cycle, but will receive nothing from April next year. Their appeal, lodged this week, is likely to be heard in February.

Badminton England Chief Executive Adrian Christy, pictured inset, said: “We are staggered by this decision, it is incomprehensible.

“Despite the most successful Olympic Games since 2004 for GB Badminton, the decision presents a catastrophic impact on the sport.

“How can you return from the best Games for more than a decade, in a year where our players have demonstrated World Class performances and where we can demonstrate the journey to Tokyo is on track, only to have every penny of investment withdrawn?”

Medal winning Ellis added: “I’m quite scared for our future.

“The funding goes a long way to helping me play every day, paying for the programme, shuttlecocks, courts - it won’t just be me affected.”