A total of 26 young Indonesian athletes will compete in the Badminton Asia Junior Championships 2026, which will take place at the Yatsushiro City General Gymnasium in Japan from June 26–30, 2026, for the team events, and from July 1–5, 2026, for the individual events. These 17–18-year-old athletes represent Indonesia’s hope for continuing the nation’s tradition of excellence in junior badminton.
Through this championship, junior badminton players are expected to gain valuable competition experience while improving their readiness to compete at the Asian and world levels. This aligns with the training and development program for young athletes that the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) continues to implement with the full support of PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, or BNI.
BNI Corporate Secretary Okki Rushartomo stated that the participation of young athletes in the Asian Junior Championships 2026 is part of the national athlete regeneration process, which must be continuously strengthened. He believes that experience competing at the international level from a young age is a crucial foundation for maintaining Indonesia's competitiveness and solidifying its position as a badminton powerhouse in the Asian region at all age levels.
"For BNI, supporting young athletes' participation in international events is part of the company's commitment to supporting national sports development and the development of young Indonesian talent," Okki said in a written statement.
The participation of these young athletes is expected to be the foundation for the birth of the next generation of Indonesian badminton players who are capable of achieving success at the world level.
This optimism is supported by Indonesia's positive track record in the last three years at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships. In 2023, Indonesia successfully became runner-up in the team event and won the women's singles title through Mutiara Ayu Puspitasari. Meanwhile in 2024, Indonesia will bring home a bronze medal in the team event and the mixed doubles runner-up title through the pair of Darren Aurelius and Bernadine.
This year's Indonesian contingent consists of 26 junior athletes under the age of 19, competing in both team and individual events. They will be accompanied by nine coaches and nine officials to ensure optimal coaching and support throughout the championship.
Okki added that opportunities for development, sufficient international experience, and consistent support from all sports stakeholders are crucial for producing high-achieving athletes capable of bringing honor to Indonesia in the future.
"Through continuous development and opportunities to compete at the international level, we hope to produce a generation of athletes capable of maintaining Indonesia's tradition of achievement and strengthening the nation's position as a badminton powerhouse in Asia, from the junior to the senior levels," Okki said.
As a strategic partner of PBSI, BNI continues to strengthen its commitment to supporting sustainable athlete development, starting from developing young talent to providing opportunities to compete in various international events as part of the process of developing world-class athletes.
This support demonstrates BNI's contribution to developing superior human resources through sports while preserving Indonesia's tradition of badminton excellence. BNI believes that investing in junior athlete development is a long-term investment in the nation's future.
Through close collaboration with PBSI, BNI hopes that the athletes competing in the Badminton Asia Junior Championships 2026 will be able to use this experience as a stepping stone to reaching the senior level, achieving greater success, and continuing Indonesia's legacy of success on the global badminton stage.