More than 120 of Dubai’s best badminton players were in action at the city’s Sports World as the first round of the Shuttle Time Dubai Club Championships began.

Players representing 12 clubs and academies across Dubai will compete over the next three weeks for the inaugural championship title.

Played as a team event and split into two group for the early stages, Round 1 saw some fantastic competition as players of all ages faced off in five categories: Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles, Boy’s/Women’s Doubles and Masters Doubles (40 and above).

Professional Sports Academy and Team Victor emerged as the early leaders in Group A, taking 5-0 victories over Friday Smashers B and Shuttle Hawks respectively. 

Other results in Group A saw India Club win 4-1 over Jpark Shuttlers and Shuttle Shooters took a 3-2 win over Friday Smashers A.

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In Group B Badeemonz defeated Arab Badminton Club 4-1, while Badmintown recorded a 5-0 win over Captain Badminton Club.

Dubai Badminton Development Manager Jaffer Ebrahim was delighted with the response and turnout for the first ever Club Championships.

He said: “It is great to see players from all across Dubai come together for these Championships.

“Badminton is making great strides in Dubai, and bringing together all the individual clubs and academies is another important step in the development of the sport here.

“Badminton is truly a sport for all – our youngest player here today is 11 years old, and our oldest is 59."