The Dhiraagu Maldives Junior Open 2026 badminton tournament is scheduled to begin on December 13, bringing together young athletes from the Maldives and overseas for a week of competition in Malé.
The tournament will take place at the Ekuveni Badminton Court from December 13 to 19, with registrations now open for players wishing to participate.
Organisers have announced that the registration period will close on November 25, giving aspiring competitors time to prepare for the upcoming event.
The tournament is being organised through a partnership between Dhiraagu and the Badminton Club, with the endorsement of the Badminton Association of Maldives and the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness.
The event is aimed at providing young badminton players with opportunities to gain competitive experience, develop their skills and test their abilities against athletes from different backgrounds.
This year’s tournament will feature six age divisions, covering under-9, under-11, under-13, under-15, under-17 and under-19 players.
The wide range of age categories is intended to accommodate athletes at different stages of their sporting development, from younger players gaining their first tournament experience to more experienced juniors preparing for higher levels of competition.
In addition to the age-group competitions, the tournament will include a Para/Special Olympics category, providing opportunities for athletes with disabilities and promoting greater inclusivity in competitive badminton.
The inclusion of the category reflects efforts to make sporting events more accessible and encourage participation among athletes of different abilities.
The upcoming tournament follows a successful 2025 edition, which attracted 347 players representing eight countries.
Among the participants were 30 international athletes, highlighting the event’s growing appeal beyond the Maldives.
A total of 733 matches were played during last year’s competition, demonstrating the scale of the tournament and the level of participation across its various categories.
The international presence also provides Maldivian junior players with valuable exposure to different playing styles and competitive standards without having to travel abroad.
For young athletes, opportunities to compete against overseas players can be particularly beneficial in developing match experience, confidence and technical skills.
Badminton continues to provide an important avenue for youth sporting participation in the Maldives, with local clubs, training programmes and competitive tournaments helping nurture emerging talent.
Junior competitions such as the Maldives Junior Open also play a role in identifying promising athletes who may eventually progress to national and international competitions.
Dhiraagu said its involvement in the tournament forms part of its broader commitment to supporting youth development and promoting sports across the country.
Through its partnership with the Badminton Club, the telecommunications company aims to encourage young people to participate in competitive sports while adopting active and healthy lifestyles.
The tournament also provides a platform for aspiring badminton players to demonstrate their abilities and gain recognition through competition.
With registration now underway, organisers are preparing to welcome another group of young athletes for seven days of badminton action in the capital.
The Dhiraagu Maldives Junior Open 2026 will run until December 19, with the registration deadline set for November 25.
