The Lightning Cup International Badminton Championships will return bigger than ever this year, with organisers unveiling an expanded third edition that aims to attract even more players from Malaysia and abroad. The tournament will be held at Resorts World Genting from Sept 3 to 6 and will feature its largest programme to date.
Organised by AMG in collaboration with Sports Arena Sentosa and Petaling BC, the competition will offer 69 event categories and a total prize pool exceeding RM100,000. The championship has steadily grown since its debut and is now positioning itself as one of the region's leading badminton festivals for amateur, masters and open-category players.
Tournament organising chairman Datuk Jack Koh said the event is about more than just competition, with the goal of bringing together badminton enthusiasts of all ages and abilities.
He said the Lightning Cup was created to celebrate the sport by providing a world-class platform where players can compete, reconnect with badminton and build lasting friendships, regardless of whether they are active competitors or returning to the game after many years.
This year's tournament will feature competitions across the Open, Amateur, Age Group, Combined Age and Mixed Three-on-Three (3P) categories. A VIP Invitational event and a Parent and Child category have also been included to strengthen the event's family-friendly appeal.
To maintain a balanced level of competition, players ranked inside the world's top 100 by the Badminton World Federation will not be eligible to participate. Former professional players aged 50 and above may enter the amateur category, although they cannot partner another ex-professional in doubles events.
The tournament's age-based structure also ensures opportunities for veteran players, with categories available for competitors from their mid-30s to those aged 70 and above. Organisers hope the event will continue promoting lifelong participation in badminton while combining competitive action with sports tourism and community engagement.
