UAE national badminton champion Riyan Malhan will compete in two international tournaments in Europe as he builds towards the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026.
Malhan is due to play at the Slovenia International Championship from May 13 to 17. He will then travel to Austria for another international event from May 21 to 24.
The two tournaments are part of a planned competition schedule designed to test him against international opponents before Dakar.
Malhan is currently training in Thailand at an international camp, which runs until May 5. The camp is focused on technical work, reaction speed, tactical awareness and match fitness.
His preparation is being managed by the UAE Sports Talent Care Committee, working with the UAE Badminton Federation.
Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Undersecretary for the Sports Development and Competitiveness Sector at the Ministry of Sports and chairman of the committee, said Malhan’s progress is being closely monitored.
The aim is to make sure he reaches the standard required for major international competition.
The next month brings a clear step up for Malhan. Thailand offers the training base. Slovenia and Austria will show where he stands against players from outside the region.
With Dakar 2026 on the horizon, the UAE will be watching how one of its leading young badminton players handles the next stage of his preparation.
