New Delhi, Sep 17 : Host India will face the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sri Lanka, and Nepal in the BWF World Junior Championships Mixed Team event, following a group stage redraw on Wednesday. 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.

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, seeded second in the event, continues to feature in Group H at the qualifying stage. While Nepal retained 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 BWF World Junior Championships, as rising stars from across the globe battle for supremacy in Guwahati.

Redrawn Groups:

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 the Philippines

Group G ' Poland (5/18), Korea (9/16), Romania, Hungary, and Bhutan

Group H ' India (2), UAE (9/16), Sri Lanka, and Nepal.

/IANS