The inaugural edition of the Yonex Sunrise Maharashtra State 1st Junior (U-19) Badminton Selection tournament 2026 is poised to showcase some of the most promising emerging badminton talent from across Maharashtra. Over 250 players will compete in five events: boys singles, girls singles, boys doubles, girls doubles, and mixed doubles.
Tournament Details and Organization
Scheduled from May 19 to 23, 2026, the tournament is conducted under the auspices of the Maharashtra Badminton Association (MBA). Yonex Sunrise serves as the title sponsor, while The Willingdon Sports Club is the presenting partner. The event is organized by the Greater Mumbai Badminton Association (GMBA) and managed and promoted by Badminton Gurukul.
Official Statements
Siddharth Patil, honorary general secretary of the Maharashtra Badminton Association, expressed delight at the launch of the first edition. He noted that Maharashtra has consistently produced exceptional badminton talent over the years, and tournaments like this are instrumental in identifying and nurturing the next generation of players.
Sunder Shetty, vice-president of the Greater Mumbai Badminton Association, highlighted Mumbai's status as one of the strongest badminton hubs in the country. He expressed excitement about hosting a tournament of this scale for the state's junior players and noted that the response from participants has been extremely encouraging. He looks forward to an exciting week of high-quality badminton and sportsmanship.
Behram Ardeshir, chairman of Badminton SC at Willingdon Sports Club, stated that the club is proud to present and host the tournament. He emphasized their aim to provide athletes with world-class infrastructure and a professional competitive environment. He welcomed players, officials, and badminton enthusiasts for what promises to be a memorable and highly competitive tournament.
