Page 112 - MOS PR REPORT FEBRUARY 2026

2/16/26, 10:38 AM Ryan Malhan tops BWF World Junior Rankings in landmark achievement for UAE Badminton – Executive Bulletin
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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