Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Goa is all set to witness top level junior badminton action as the Yonex Sunrise All India Sub Junior Under 13 Ranking Badminton Tournament 2026 gets underway from May 13 to 18 at the Manohar Parrikar Indoor Stadium in Navelim. The prestigious national event will bring together 709 promising young players from across the country, making it one of the biggest badminton tournaments hosted in the state this year.
Organised by the Goa Badminton Association under the aegis of the Badminton Association of India and co organised by the South Goa District Badminton Association, the tournament will feature Boys and Girls Under 13 Singles and Doubles events. Qualifying matches are scheduled for May 13 and 14 from 8.30 am onwards, while the main draw matches will take place between May 15 and 18.
Several of India’s leading junior shuttlers are expected to headline the competition. In the Boys Singles category, top contenders include Rehaan Dudekula, Sarthak Joshi, Harshith Venkata Sai and Sibi Jero J. The Girls Singles field will feature strong challengers such as Lyosha Korukonda, Shanvi Reddy Nimma, Anvi Reddy Gade and Hazel Joshi.
The doubles events are also expected to draw attention, with Rajasthan’s Lokesh Gurjar and Rakshit Singh Mehra entering as the top ranked Boys Doubles pair, while Telangana duo Lyosha Korukonda and Shanvi Reddy Nimma lead the Girls Doubles category.
Goa’s hopes will rest on a talented local contingent featuring Michael Ryan Mare, Pratik Naik Borkar, Ayansh Sanke, Vedh Lotliker and Varun Sahakari in the boys division. In the girls section, rising star Amaira Dhumatkar, who secured a bronze medal at the National Under 11 Championship last year, will lead the state challenge alongside Kanika Pai Vernekar, Ashbah Tahasildar and Aditi Dhargalkar.
Officials from several states will oversee the smooth conduct of the tournament, with nearly 60 technical officials expected to be part of the championship. Organisers believe the event will further strengthen Goa’s growing reputation as an important destination for national sporting events while also providing valuable exposure to local talent competing against some of India’s finest young badminton players.
