By Sudipta Biswas

Copyright timesnownews

Host India has been handed a rather easy draw in the BWF World Junior Championships Mixed Team event on Wednesday, following a group stage redraw. The withdrawal of the Cook Islands prompted the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to reshuffle the field for the current 36 countries participating in the tournament, also known as the Suhandinata Cup. Placed in Group H, India will face the UAE, Sri Lanka, and Nepal in the revamped junior tournament. The forthcoming BWF World Junior Championships 2025, returning to India after 17 years, are all set to be staged in Guwahati from October 6–19, at the state-of-the-art National Centre of Excellence. India, second-seeded in the event, continues to feature in Group H at the qualifying stage. While Nepal retains its place in the group, the UAE and Sri Lanka have now been added to Group H as per the updated draw. The redraw has also brought significant changes to the other groups. Top-seeded Thailand stays in Group A, where it will compete alongside Japan, Portugal, and Ireland, marking a complete revamp from the previous grouping. Defending champions Indonesia will play the qualifying stage in Group F against Hong Kong China, Slovenia, and the Philippines. Meanwhile, powerhouse China, with 14 Mixed Team Championship titles to its name, will feature in Group D alongside Türkiye, England, Uganda, and Ghana. In Group G, three-time winners South Korea will compete with Poland, Romania, Hungary, and Bhutan. With the redraw finalised, the stage is set for renewed excitement ahead of the Yonex Sunrise BWF World Junior Championships, as rising stars from across the globe battle for supremacy in Guwahati. Redrawn Groups for BWF World Junior Championships Mixed Team Event Group A – Thailand (1), Japan (9/16), Portugal, and Ireland Group B – France (5/8), USA (9/16), Egypt, Vietnam, and Norway Group C – Malaysia (3/4), Australia (9/16), Canada, and Slovakia Group D – China (5/8), Türkiye (9/16), England, Uganda, and Ghana Group E – Chinese Taipei (5/8), Denmark (9/16), Singapore, Netherlands, and Brazil Group F – Indonesia (3/4), Hong Kong China (9/16), Slovenia, and Philippines Group G – Poland (5/18), Korea (9/16), Romania, Hungary, and Bhutan Group H – India (2), UAE (9/16), Sri Lanka, and Nepal