Page 104 - MOS PR REPORT FEBRUARY 2026

2/16/26, 10:35 AM Ryan Malhan tops BWF World Junior Rankings in landmark achievement for UAE Badminton – UAE & Middle East News
Elite Sport UAE (ESUAE) has also played a critical role in his journey by providing a professional
high-performance environment through the Badminton Centre of Excellence. This includes

advanced technical support and specialised strength and fitness programs tailored to support elite-
level development.

As part of its ongoing efforts, the Committee also organised a high-level specialised technical
meeting with world-renowned global badminton star Anders Antonsen, currently ranked World No.

3 by the BWF. Antonsen, a European Games champion (2019), four-time European Champion

(2021–2024), and multiple World Championships bronze medalist (2021, 2023, 2025), met with
officials and emerging talents on the sidelines of the UAE Sports Talent Badminton Championship.

The meeting, which concluded recently, aimed to strengthen the player’s technical capabilities and
enhance his pathway toward world-class performance.

Official backing and institutional synergy

H.E. Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Undersecretary for the Sports Development and

Competitiveness Sector at the Ministry of Sports, and Chairman of the UAE Committee For Talent
And Sports Support, highlighted Malhan’s achievement as a testament to the nation’s strategic

vision and commitment to investing in sporting talent. H.E. emphasised that the accomplishment
reflects a unified institutional effort and demonstrates the effectiveness of the ‘National Athlete

Pathway’ in preparing athletes to compete, succeed, and represent the UAE at the highest
international levels.

Commenting on the meeting with Antonsen, H.E. Suhail bin Butti noted that this initiative comes as
part of the Committee’s strategy to engage and involve globally accomplished, Olympic-level

athletes in talent discovery championships across various sports. Such initiatives, H.E. said, are

designed to accelerate the technical development of emerging Emirati talent, broaden their global
exposure, and enhance the competitive prospects of achieving international success.

Noura Al Jasmi, President of the UAE Badminton Federation, also expressed pride in Malhan’s

achievement, highlighting it as evidence of badminton’s rapid growth within the country. She

described Malhan as a role model of the ambitious Emirati athlete and credited his success to long-
term planning and close coordination between the federation and supporting institutions and

committees.

She further added that a sponsorship agreement was signed late last year for Ryan Malhan with the

UAE Committee For Talent And Sports Support. The agreement provides comprehensive support for
his international participation, alongside technical, administrative, and logistical guidance, creating

the ideal environment for him to achieve further world-class performance and raise the UAE flag at
international arenas.

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