Jawhar Nabil, Minister of Youth and Sports, attended the opening of the World Junior Under-19 Badminton Championships on Thursday, October 8, 2026, marking the first time Egypt has hosted the tournament in its history. The event returns to the African continent for only the second time after a 34-year absence, drawing competitors from 47 countries in the team competition and 59 nations in the individual brackets, according to state-reported information.
Minister Jawhar Nabil Welcomes Global Delegations in Cairo
The opening ceremony brought together key figures from international and national sports organizations, including International Badminton Federation President Batama Liswad Trakul and African Badminton Confederation President Michel Bou. Egyptian Olympic Committee President Yasser Idris, Egyptian Badminton Federation President Hadyia Hosny, and International Federation member Ian Wright also joined national sports federation heads and public figures at the venue.
Addressing the assembled athletes and officials, Minister Nabil stated that hosting the global tournament reflects the political leadership’s focus on supporting athletics and securing major international competitions to strengthen Egypt’s standing in world sports. He welcomed the International Federation president, players, coaches, and staff, wishing them a successful stay and competitive matches.
Nabil told the athletes that the championships offer a vital career milestone, reminding them that victory and defeat form standard parts of competition. He emphasized that learning from experiences, confronting challenges, and pressing forward matter most, adding his hope that the tournament launches future world and Olympic champions while leaving visitors with positive memories of Egypt.
International Badminton Federation President Batama Liswad Trakul Praises Egyptian Preparation
International Badminton Federation President Batama Liswad Trakul acknowledged Egypt’s efforts in hosting the Under-19 World Championships. She commended the organizational preparation and the wide international turnout, pointing to the tournament’s value in supporting badminton’s future and giving new generations of players a platform for global competition.
The tournament format splits into two distinct phases, beginning with team competition across 47 participating countries before moving into the individual events featuring athletes from 59 nations. Matches continue at the host venue as delegations compete across multiple draws through the scheduled tournament window.
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