CONTINENTAL JUNIOR BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIPS

Here are additional information about Continental Junior Badminton Championship we ought to acquaint ourselves with.

1) As far as Junior tournaments are concern, BWF only recognise “World Junior Championship” (Individual and team events) for the U19 age group. For me, this is the biggest junior badminton tournament at world stage before the senior or professional level.

2) For younger age-groups such as U17 & U15 these are handled at continental or regional level rather than at global world-championship level. There are five continental junior badminton championships for U17 & U15. They are :

a) Asia - Badminton Asia Confederation (BAC),

b) Europe – Badminton Europe Confederation (BEC),

c) Pan America – Badminton Pan AM Confederation (BPAC),

d) Africa – Badminton Confederation of Africa (BCA),

e) Oceania- Badminton Oceania.

3) The Continental Junior Badminton Championships ranking points are not part of the official BWF junior world ranking (U19) system at all. Therefore it does not contribute to BWF World Junior (U19) Ranking points. At this moment, there is no global unified BWF ranking for U17 & U15, only at continental level.

4) Each continent maintains their own internal or development ranking points system for U17, & U15 levels. Each continent defines its own formula ranking points awards. Points cannot be transferred across continents or to BWF rankings. The total ranking is based on player’s best 6 results over 12 months.

5) The ranking points are used by national federation to seed junior players U17 & U15 or select them for continental tournaments and higher tier (U19) tournaments.

6) Players turning 18 – 19yo resets into the BWF Junior Ranking when they participates in BWF U19 tournaments. The ranking for U19 takes priority over the U17 & U15 ranking points.

Among the 5 continental junior championships, Badminton Asia’s system is the most competitive and heavily weighted. Even though the ranking scales are not universal, Badminton Asia U17 & U15 Championships are regarded as the strongest and highest level continental tournament for youth worldwide. Why?

a) Depth and density of talent. Top badminton nations (China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, India) compete here.

b) High level of play. Often equivalent to or higher than the U19 continental level in other regions.

c) National importance. Most Asian countries use results here for their national team selection, development and fundings/sponsorships.

d) Ranking weight (internal). Many national federations treat Asia U17 & U15 rankings higher than any European or Pan Am youth tournaments.

e) As far as the highest Badminton Championship Event by age groupings are as follows :

- BWF World Championship – Senior Level

- BWF World Junior Championship – U19 (Age 18yo and below)

- Badminton Asia Junior U17 & U15 Championships – Age 16yo and below & age 14yo and below.

This is to say if your child is selected to play in the Badminton Asia Junior U17 & U15 Championships, this is equivalent to World Championship level for this junior age group.