BAI announces Indian squad for Badminton Asia Junior Championships 2024

Modified Jun 26, 2024 11:56 IST

Indian squad for Badminton Asia Junior Championships (Image Credit: BAI)

The Badminton Association of India (BAI) announced an 18-member squad for the upcoming Badminton Asia Junior Championships to be held from June 28 to July 7, 2024. Yogyakarta, Indonesia, is set to host this tournament.

The Indian Junior team will be led by senior national finalist Tanvi Sharma. Along with a group of enthusiastic youngsters, the team will be keen to put in their best effort and aim for a podium finish at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships.

The 18-member squad was selected by the Badminton Association of India (BAI). A thorough final selection trial took place in Delhi from May 20 to 23, 2024, following which the players, who'd represent the country, were selected. It was preceded by an All-India ranking tournament. The squad also had a preparatory camp at the National Centre for Excellence in Guwahati on Tuesday, before their departure to Indonesia.

Talking about the tournament, India are grouped alongside hosts Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines in Group C of the mixed-team championship. India will target the top spot in their group to gain a favorable knock-out draw going forward in the tournament.

Speaking about the squad and expectations ahead of the tournament, Badminton Association of India general secretary Sanjay Mishra stated (in a press release),

“We have a very strong and balanced squad with the singles as well as doubles players having considerable experience of playing on the national and international stage. We are confident that the team will return with a medal from Indonesia."

The squad comprises prominent names such as All India junior ranking champions Pranay Shettigar and Aalisha Naik, who hail from Maharashtra. Top-ranked Indian junior Dhruv Negi is also a part of the squad along with Navya Kanderi, who will be in action in both girls' singles and doubles categories.

The individual championship will take place soon after the completion of the team event. India is set to field four singles players in boys category and girls category, two pairs each in boys, girls, and mixed categories.

Looking at India's record, the country has won two gold, one silver, and six bronze medals in the history of the competition so far.