Page 18 - MOS PR REPORT FEBRUARY 2026

Press Release

Ryan Malhan tops BWF World Junior Rankings in

landmark achievement for UAE Badminton

UAE, 13 February 2026- Ryan Malhan has marked a historic milestone for UAE badminton by
topping the latest Badminton World Federation (BWF) youth rankings, following his impressive,

well-deserved victory at the BWF-sanctioned Hungarian International Youth Championship.

The achievement crowns a standout run of continental and international success. Malhan
previously secured a bronze medal at the 2025 Asian Youth Games, building on his earlier podium
finish at the 2024 Asian U15 Championships. Together, these achievements firmly establish him
as one of Asia’s elite players in his age category.

A National ecosystem for champion development

Malhan’s rise on the global stage reflects the strength of the UAE’s integrated sports development
framework, led by the UAE Committee For Talent And Sports Support. At the heart of this
progress is the recently launched ‘National Athlete Pathway,’ a comprehensive integrated
framework designed to identify, nurture, and elevate sporting talent in line with international best
practices.

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