Al Ain Masters 2025 Set to Showcase Global Badminton Talent in UAE

Al Ain Masters 2025: Stage Set for UAE’s Premier Badminton EventHis Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan to grace opening ceremony tomorrowAl Ain, UAE: The stage is all set for the Al Ain Masters 2025, the Middle East’s only BWF World Tour Super 100 event, as the Emirate prepares to host top international badminton talent at the Al Ain Club over the next six days.Running from 30 September to 5 October at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Hall, the tournament will feature nearly 300 players from 38 countries, including some of the world’s leading shuttlers, promising a week of high-intensity and world-class badminton.Representing the hosts, a 56-member UAE team — a mix of seasoned players and emerging talents — will aim to shine in front of home fans while taking on the world’s best. The tournament also serves as vital preparation for the upcoming Asian Youth Championships, contributes to World Championships qualification, and forms an important step on the Road to the LA 2028 Olympic Games.The top international teams have already arrived, and players have started their official practice at Khalifa Bin Zayed Hall, where six courts have been laid for the official matches.The opening ceremony, scheduled for 7:00 to 7:30 PM on 30 September, will be graced by His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, along with several distinguished figures. The ceremony will feature the official opening by Sheikh Nahyan, five-minute badminton skills, recognition of sponsors, and conclude with the resumption of matches.Key attendees include Ms. Noura Al Jasmi, President of the UAE Badminton Federation; H.E. Aref Al Awani, Abu Dhabi Sports Council; representatives from Al Ain Club and Etihad Airways; as well as other strategic partners, universities, and schools.International Stars to WatchMen’s Singles: Former World No.1 Kidambi Srikanth (India), winner of 2022 Thomas Cup and 2018 Commonwealth Games golds, headlines the draw in which Malaysia’s Justin Hoh has been top seeded. Justin is coming fresh off his silver medal show at Macau Open, while his teammate Sholeh Aidil and Indonesia’s Prahdiska Bagas Shujiwo are among strong contenders.Women’s Singles: Malaysia’s 22-year-old Karupathevan Letshanaa, who has made it to the podium of several International Masters in the past years, is the top seed. Polina Buhrova (Ukraine), US Open bronze medallist; India’s Anmol Kharb; and Indonesia’s Mutiara Ayu Puspitasari, recent YONEX Luxembourg Open champion, are key players.Women’s Doubles: Gabriela Stoeva / Stefani Stoeva (Bulgaria), four-time European champions and two-time European Games gold medallists, lead the draw as top seeds, while Thailand’s Laksika Kanlaha / Phataimas Muenwong and Ukraine’s Buhrova / Yevheniia Kantemyr are also strong contenders.Men’s Doubles: Jui-Hsuan Huang / Zhi-Wei He (Chinese Taipei), podium finishers at US and Canada Opens 2025, and India’s 35th ranked Sai Pratheek K. and Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy lead the category.Mixed Doubles: India’s Rohan Kapoor / Ruthvika Shivani Gadde and Indonesia’s Marwan Faza / Aisyah Salsabila Putri Pranata will be among the pairs to watch.Tournament ScheduleSeptember 30 – October 1: Qualifying roundsOctober 2: Main draw beginsOctober 4–5: Semi-finals and Finals