UAE badminton breaks new ground with historic international medal
Abdulaziz Mohamed Yahya leads Emirati charge as national players shine in Bulgaria, Italy
Dubai: For the first time ever, an Emirati badminton player has stepped onto the international podium, rewriting the history books and announcing UAE’s arrival on the global badminton scene. Abdulaziz Mohamed Yahya’s groundbreaking medal win is more than just personal glory — it’s a signal that a new sporting powerhouse is emerging in the desert.
This breakthrough coincided with stellar performances by the UAE national team at two key European events: the Victor Bulgaria Junior Challenge 2025, showcasing the nation’s top under-19 talent, and the Yonex Italian Open 2025, a senior-level international competition. Across both stages, Emirati players proved they can compete — and succeed — on the world stage. Riyan Malhan and Mysha Omer secured gold in boys’ and girls’ singles under-19 category, while Vaidehi Kalidasan earned bronze in girls’ U19 before Abdulaziz Mohamed Yahya and Riyan Malhan teamed up to win bronze in men’s doubles Under-19.
Abdulaziz’s historic medal is a testament to the rapid growth and global reach of UAE badminton. Noura Hassan Al Jasmi, President of the UAE Badminton Federation, said: “This is a proud moment for UAE sport. These medals reflect years of careful planning, strong structures, and belief in our athletes. The Elite Player Pathway is delivering tangible results — and this is only the beginning.”
Making waves on senior circuit
At the Yonex Italian Open 2025, the UAE’s men’s doubles duo — twin brothers Dev and Dhiren Ayyappan, affectionately known as “DD” — fought their way to the semi-finals, ultimately earning a bronze medal. Their run was halted by the top-seeded English pair, but their performance signalled the UAE’s growing competitiveness at the senior international level.
Riyan Malhan added a second gold this month after beating Turkey’s Mehmet Can Toremis, having earlier triumphed at the Spanish International U19 2025. His thrilling semi-final victory in Bulgaria, overcoming the top seed Lee Yu-Jui from Chinese Taipei in three hard-fought games (13—21, 22—20, 22—20), showcased his mental toughness and tactical growth.
Elite Player Pathway
Mysha Omer turned her silver in Spain into gold in Bulgaria, defeating teammate Vaidehi Kalidasan in an all-UAE semi-final before overpowering India’s top seed Naishaa Kaur Bhatoye in straight games to claim the title.
These successes are the fruits of the Elite Player Pathway, a collaboration between the UAE Badminton Federation and Elite Sport UAE of the Ministry of Sport. The programme is dedicated to identifying and nurturing top talent through rigorous training, international competition, and sustained athlete development.
These medals represent more than trophies; they mark strategic milestones in UAE badminton’s rise on the global stage. With continued investment, strong development frameworks, and unified ambition, the future looks bright for Emirati badminton.