Rajasthan Gears Up for Action-Packed Badminton Season with National Events
The state of Rajasthan is set to become a major hub for badminton this season, with the announcement of a comprehensive calendar featuring two prestigious national-level tournaments and a series of state competitions for the 2026-27 period. The Rajasthan Badminton Association (RBA) has unveiled detailed plans aimed at nurturing talent and elevating the sport's profile across the region.
National Tournaments Return to Jaipur
For the fourth consecutive year, Jaipur will host the All India Sub-Junior (U-15 and U-17) Ranking Badminton tournament, reinforcing the city's status as a key venue for youth sports. In a significant addition, Rajasthan will also conduct the North Zone Inter-State Badminton Championship, marking a dual national presence that promises to attract top players from across the country.
The Yonex-Sunrise All India Sub-Junior Ranking (U-15 and U-17) is scheduled from October 3 to 11 at the Sawai Mansingh Indoor Stadium in Jaipur. Meanwhile, the North Zone Championship will take place earlier, from September 3 to 10, also in Jaipur. These events are expected to draw widespread participation and media attention.
State-Level Competitions Across Rajasthan
The season will kick off with the Rajasthan State Ranking Badminton tournament for men, women, and Under-19 categories in Jaipur from July 20 to 26. According to RBA secretary KK Sharma, this event will serve as the selection ground for the state team to compete in the North Zone Championship.
Further youth competitions include:
- U-15 Tournament: August 26-30 at DRM Academy in Jaipur.
- U-17 Tournament: September 23-27 in Udaipur.
- Under-11 and Under-13 Categories: October 21-25 in Chittorgarh.
For older players, the Under-19 Inter District Championship will be held from September 16 to 21 at Blooming Dales International School in Sriganganagar, while the Senior State Championship is set for November 24 to 30 in Bikaner. The season will conclude with the Masters Championship in Kota from February 10-14, 2027.
Enhanced Financial Support and Player Benefits
In a major boost for participants, the RBA has announced a substantial increase in prize money. For the first time, prize money for players in Under-11, Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, and senior categories has been doubled to Rs 1 lakh per tournament, up from Rs 50,000. Additionally, players selected for the Masters Badminton Championship will receive allocated T-shirts when participating in national competitions.
National-level achievers will be rewarded with cash prizes: gold medalists will receive Rs 31,000, silver medalists Rs 21,000, and bronze medalists Rs 11,000 from the RBA. Entry fees have been standardized at Rs 1,000 for singles and Rs 2,000 for doubles, as per Badminton Association of India guidelines.
Organizational Developments and District Empowerment
The RBA has taken several steps to strengthen its structure and support local associations. Following a general body meeting on March 1 in Alwar, the association decided to provide Rs 1 lakh to district associations for organizing national-level competitions in their areas. For the first time, the Jaipur District Association has been allotted two state competitions.
A three-member committee has been formed to amend the RBA constitution, with full authority to make changes and register them. The State Association Secretary has also been authorized to reorganize new districts after discussions. Technical officials from Rajasthan will receive travel and daily allowances as per Badminton Association of India norms, and a player code of conduct is being prepared for issuance soon.
Recognition and Training Initiatives
During the general meeting, gratitude was expressed to Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, President of the State Badminton Association. In a parallel development, the state association conducted the State Umpire and Match Control exams in Alwar, with 31 participants. The exam was overseen by Vinay Joshi, a national referee and international line judge from Pune.
All players have been advised to begin preparations according to their age groups, as the RBA aims to select promising talent from these competitions and prepare them for national-level success. With these initiatives, Rajasthan is poised to make a significant impact on the Indian badminton landscape in the coming season.
