KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 (Bernama) -- The Allianz Junior Badminton Championship (AJBC) is gearing up for its fifth edition in 2026, marking its return to inspire, develop and celebrate young badminton talents across Malaysia.
Organised by Allianz Malaysia Berhad (Allianz Malaysia), the AJBC has grown to become a highly- anticipated grassroots badminton tournament, fostering the development of future badminton champions.
“We are committed to supporting the dreams of young athletes and contributing to the growth of badminton in Malaysia. The AJBC is more than just a tournament; it is a stepping stone for young players to achieve their aspirations and reach new heights in the sport,” said Allianz Malaysia Chief Executive Officer, Sean Wang.
A highlight of the AJBC in 2025 was the selection of 10 players from the Qualifying Rounds to participate in the prestigious Talent Identification Programme organised by Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM), under the purview of the Badminton Association of Malaysia. This programme serves as a gateway for players to potentially enter ABM as well as gain access to other opportunities to advance their badminton careers.
Over 3,000 players took part in the AJBC last year, showcasing the depth of talent and passion for the sport among Malaysian youth. The championship is expected to attract a similar level of enthusiasm in 2026, with 10 Qualifying Rounds set to take place nationwide.
This year, on top of the cash prizes, 12 winners will also be chosen to participate in an exclusive international training camp, where they will have the opportunity to train with world-class coaches and experience a competitive global environment.
The aim of the AJBC is to provide a platform for young badminton talents to pursue their passion, develop their skills and gain exposure to competitive play. By investing in grassroots development, Allianz Malaysia hopes to inspire the next generation of badminton champions and contribute to Malaysia’s legacy in the sport.
The first Qualifying Round will take place in Ipoh, Perak from 24 to 26 April 2026, with further rounds to follow in various locations across the country including Putrajaya, Johor, Terengganu, Pahang, Sabah, Sarawak, Melaka, Kedah and Penang.
The AJBC Grand Finals, featuring U-13 and U-15 finalists from all the Qualifying Rounds, will be held in Kuala Lumpur from 2 to 7 December 2026. Each round will see 24 players qualifying for the finals. The U-11 players will not advance to the Grand Finals.
Like previous years, players participating in the AJBC Qualifying Rounds do not have to pay any entrance fees. The top three winners of the Qualifying Rounds for all age categories will take home RM500, RM300 and RM150 (singles) and RM600, RM400 and RM200 (doubles).
Players finishing in the top three at the Grand Finals will pocket RM1,000, RM600 and RM300 (singles) and RM1,200, RM800 and RM400 (doubles). And as mentioned, 12 winners will also have the chance to join an exclusive international training camp.
The AJBC is supported by the Sports, Co-curricular and Arts Division, Ministry of Education Malaysia and the Badminton Association of Malaysia.
Registration for Qualifying Round 1 in Ipoh opens on 6 April 2026. For more information and for those who are keen to participate in the AJBC, please visit
www.allianz.com.my/ajbc.
SOURCE: Allianz Malaysia Berhad
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Name: Shamala Gopalan
Group Head
Corporate Communications Department
Allianz Malaysia Berhad
Tel: 016.285.0685
Email: shamala.gopalan@allianz.com.my
Name: Gary Mark Nagan
Manager
Corporate Communications Department
Allianz Malaysia Berhad
Tel: 012.367.1450
Email: gary.nagan@allianz.com.my
--BERNAMA