The BWF World Junior Championships 2025 have officially kicked off in Guwahati, Assam, marking a proud moment for India as it hosts one of the world’s most prestigious badminton tournaments. The event, running from October 5 to October 20, 2025, has brought together more than 50 nations and 500 young shuttlers, all competing to be crowned the next global badminton champions.
This championship is not just about competition—it’s a celebration of talent, youth, and the growing dominance of India on the international badminton stage.
🌍 A Global Stage Comes to Guwahati
Guwahati, one of Northeast India’s most vibrant cities, has transformed into a sporting hub for the next two weeks. The Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium has been refurbished to international standards to host the matches, with state-of-the-art lighting, flooring, and spectator facilities that meet the Badminton World Federation (BWF) guidelines.
The event is divided into two segments:
- Team Championships (October 5–10)
- Individual Championships (October 12–20)
This global tournament serves as a vital stepping stone for young athletes aiming to transition into senior-level competitions, where stars like PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, and Carolina Marin once made their mark.
🇮🇳 India’s Pride: Hosting the World Juniors
Hosting the BWF World Junior Championships 2025 underscores India’s growing influence in the badminton world. This is only the second time India has hosted this event, the first being in Pune in 2008.
The Badminton Association of India (BAI), led by President Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, has emphasized the importance of giving India’s youth a global platform to showcase their skills.
“This event reaffirms India’s emergence as a badminton powerhouse. The world will see the future stars play right here in Guwahati,”
said Dr. Sarma during the opening ceremony.
The tournament also aligns with the government’s Khelo India initiative, which aims to nurture grassroots sports talent and encourage youth participation in international-level events.
🏸 Indian Squad: Promising Talent on Display
India has fielded one of its strongest-ever junior contingents this year, led by national junior champions Anmol Kharb, Ayush Shetty, and Tanvi Sharma. These rising stars have already made waves in the Asian Junior Championships and are now aiming to make history on home soil.
Key Indian Players to Watch
- Ayush Shetty (Boys’ Singles): Known for his attacking game and powerful smashes.
- Anmol Kharb (Girls’ Singles): A consistent performer and the current Asian U-19 silver medalist.
- Rohan Kapoor & Nidhi Bansal (Mixed Doubles): Promising duo with excellent court chemistry.
- Tanvi Sharma (Girls’ Singles): A tactical player with strong defensive play.
The Indian team’s strong performance in recent years, including multiple medals in Asian and World Youth events, has raised hopes for a podium finish in Guwahati.
🏆 Past Champions and Legends
The BWF World Junior Championships have a rich legacy of producing badminton legends. Many of today’s stars first rose to fame in this event.
| Year | Champion | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Viktor Axelsen | Denmark |
| 2013 | Akane Yamaguchi | Japan |
| 2015 | Goh Jin Wei | Malaysia |
| 2017 | Kunlavut Vitidsarn | Thailand |
| 2018 | Lakshya Sen (Bronze) | India |
| 2019 | Kunlavut Vitidsarn | Thailand |
| 2022 | Alex Lanier | France |
| 2023 | Huang Yu-hsun | Chinese Taipei |
These names reflect how the tournament acts as a launchpad for world champions—and India hopes that Guwahati 2025 will mark the rise of its next badminton superstar.
🎯 Tournament Highlights and Format
The BWF World Junior Championships 2025 follow the standard format:
- Mixed Team Event – Teams compete in a round-robin stage followed by knockout rounds.
- Individual Championships – Players compete in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles categories.
Each match features the best of three games of 21 points, testing not only the players’ physical skills but also their endurance and strategy.
The championship has also introduced real-time line calling technology for the first time in India at the junior level, ensuring transparency and fairness in officiating.
🌟 Economic and Cultural Impact
The event is expected to bring significant economic and cultural benefits to Assam and the Northeast region. With thousands of athletes, coaches, and fans arriving from around the world, Guwahati is witnessing a boom in tourism, hospitality, and local businesses.
Local artisans have also been given a platform to showcase Assamese culture and handicrafts, with traditional performances, exhibitions, and food festivals running alongside the championship.
“Sports tourism is becoming a reality for Assam. Events like this boost our economy and highlight our heritage,”
said Assam Tourism Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah.
🔍 India’s Rising Badminton Culture
Over the past decade, India has become one of the most successful nations in world badminton. The success of stars like PV Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth, and HS Prannoy has inspired a new generation to take up the sport.
The establishment of regional training centers, enhanced sports infrastructure, and greater investment from both the public and private sectors have made India a breeding ground for badminton excellence.
The World Junior Championships 2025 further strengthen India’s claim as a global badminton hub, capable of hosting major international tournaments with world-class organization and participation.
📺 Global Broadcasting and Digital Reach
For the first time, the event is being streamed globally through BWF TV and Disney+ Hotstar, ensuring that fans from across continents can tune in to watch the young talents in action. The broadcast features multilingual commentary, analytics, and behind-the-scenes interviews, giving global viewers a complete experience of the championship.
Social media engagement around hashtags like #BWFJuniors2025 and #ShuttleinGuwahati has already surpassed one million impressions in just a few days.
🏅 What’s at Stake
Apart from medals and titles, the BWF World Junior Championships also offer:
- World ranking points for junior players.
- Scholarship opportunities from the BWF.
- Potential sponsorships for top performers.
- An opportunity to qualify for senior-level events and national selection camps.
For young athletes, a victory here can open the door to international fame and a professional career in the sport.
🔮 Looking Ahead
The BWF World Junior Championships 2025 in Guwahati symbolize more than just a sporting event — they embody India’s growing confidence, capability, and commitment to nurturing youth sports. As the next two weeks unfold, all eyes will be on Guwahati to witness not just competition, but the creation of future legends.
With passionate fans, talented athletes, and world-class organization, this championship promises to be one of the most memorable badminton events of the decade — a turning point for both Indian and global badminton.