Badminton will make its Paralympic Games debut at Tokyo 2020 after it was one of 16 sports approved for inclusion on the programme for the Games following a meeting of the International Paralympc Committee (IPC) Governing Board.

Badminton and taekwondo were the two sports vying for a first Paralympic Games appearance in six years' time and following presentations by both the Badminton World Federation and the World Taekwondo Federation to the IPC in Berlin, badminton has made the list.

But taekwondo is still in with a chance of making it to Tokyo 2020 as the IPC has deferred a final decision on the complete line-up of 23 sports until its next Governing Board meeting scheduled for Abu Dhabi on January 30 and February 1 next year.

Following the submission of applications from the eligible sports, the IPC management team assessed 23 of the 24 applications received and made recommendations to the IPC Governing Board, approving 16 sports.

The IPC revealed that the International Cycling Union (UCI) only submitted its application late last week and as a result there was insufficient time for it to be assessed in time for the meeting in Berlin.

It will now assess the application, identifying any issues they may have with it, before the Governing Board discuss it at the meeting in Abu Dhabi early next year.

Joining badminton on the approved list of sports for Tokyo 2020 so far are athletics, archery, boccia, equestrian, goalball, powerlifting, rowing, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, table tennis, triathlon, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis.

Along with Para-taekwondo and cycling, canoe, football 5-a-side, football 7-a-side, judo, sailing and wheelchair fencing will find out their fate in Abu Dhabi.

"Our aim is to ensure that the final Tokyo 2020 Paralympic sports programme is fresh and features the best Para-sports possible," said IPC President Sir Philip Craven.

"I would like to thank all the sports who submitted their applications.

"This has been an extensive and rigorous review process and all sports were assessed against the same criteria.

"Although we can have a maximum of 23 sports in six years' time, we have an option to reduce the number of sports in order to ensure we have a compelling and attractive Para-sports programme.

"I would like to congratulate the 16 sports that we have already confirmed will be included in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, in particular badminton, who after missing out four years ago, submitted a very strong application.

"The IPC looks forward to working with the Badminton World Federation over the coming years to manage their smooth transition into the 2020 sports programme.

"For the eight sports still in the running, we identified a number of issues with their submissions, or, in the case of UCI, it was submitted too late to be assessed at this meeting.

"These sports must now provide further information on the issues identified during the review process if they wish to remain part of, or join, the Paralympic programme.

"The IPC Governing Board will re-evaluate these applications when it meets in Abu Dhabi and will make its final decision on the number of sports, and which sports will be included in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic sports programme.

Article by insidethegames. Photo by BadmintonPhoto.