The 1996 Olympic men's singles champion is due to take on Dato Sri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh, President of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), and Indonesia's Justian Suhandinata at the BWF annual meeting in Kuala Lumpur on May 18.

They will be seeking to replace BWF President Dr. Kang Young Joong of South Korea, who last December announced his decision not to seek a third term in office.

"I am grateful for the support shown by so many member associations who are rallying for the same values and the objectives I set forward for the sport of badminton in the future," said Høyer, the 47-year-old President of Badminton Europe.

"I am especially pleased that member associations from around the world are showing
support.

"This is extremely encouraging and gives me even more enthusiasm to rally for the
position."


Høyer has announced that Peru's Gustavo Salazar Delgado, President of Badminton Pan Am, will be his running mate for the election where 169 countries will be eligible to vote.

"To set the new path for BWF is certainly a team effort and I am pleased that Gustavo Salazar Delgado has agreed to stand as deputy President next to me," said Høyer. 

"He brings a wealth of experience, not in the least in the development area and we
share many of the same values.

"Furthermore the [Rio] 2016 Olympic Games will be held within his Confederation and we must invest in building the region over the coming years.

"The support received from Badminton Oceania has been especially pleasing and we
certainly share the same views on how to improve our sport."

"The dialogue with our friends in Badminton Confederation of Africa has been good so far
and I look forward to visiting Africa and develop that dialogue directly with the member
associations in Africa."

If Høyer wins, he will be the first President of badminton's world governing body to be from Europe since it adopted its current idenity in 2006 and the first non-Asian since 1993, when Britain's Arthur Jones held the role.

He would also be the first Dane to hold the position since Poul-Erik Nielsen, winner of three consecutive All-England titles between 1958 and 1960, who had the role between 1984 and 1986.

Nielsen had replaced Britain's Sir Craig Reedie, who had spearheaded the successful campaign to get badminton into the Olympics and is now a vice-president of the International Olympic Committee.

With another Dane, Thomas Lund, already secretary general it would give the Scandinavian country considerable influence in a sport whose power-base is rooted firmly in Asia, particularly China.

Høyer has already promised that he will not relocate the BWF's headquarters from Kuala Lumpur, where it has been based since 2005 after moving from Cheltenham in England. 

"If elected, I am committed to ensure that Badminton Asia will continue to play a central role in the administration and governance of our sport," said Høyer.