An organisation at the level of much bigger sports events, high-quality matches, an extraordinary atmosphere... This is the summary of the spectacular, ninth in a row, Serbian U17 & Youth International Novi Sad 2021, which was held from 24 to 27 June 2021 at the Sports Center "Slana bara" in Novi Sad, with over 600 participants from 25 countries from Europe.

The Badminton Association of Serbia, under the patronage of Badminton Europe Confederation, Serbian Ministry of Youth and Sports, Provincial Secretariat for Sport and Youth of Vojvodina, and with the technical support of Badminton Association of Vojvodina and Badminton Club Novi Sad, organised the ninth edition of Serbian U17 International and Serbian Youth International tournaments in the City of Novi Sad.

The traditional Novi Sad tournament, which was one of the biggest events for U17, U15, U13, U11 and U9 in Europe in the past two years, once again justified the epithet of a first-class sporting event and the organisers can be proud of a four-day fairy tale in the "Serbian Athens".

The four tournament days — where the U17 competitors were battling for a better ranking position before the European U17 Championships to be held in September, and U15 players participating in qualifying event for next year’s European U15 Championships — concluded with the final matches and the victory ceremonies which were attended by Mr Darko Udovicic, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Serbia, Mrs Aranka Binder, Assistant of the Provincial Secretary for Sport and Youth, and Mrs Jelena Marinkovic Radomirovic, President of the City Assembly of Novi Sad. 

-Serbian U17 & Youth International Novi Sad 2021, which the Badminton Association of Serbia, the Badminton Association of Vojvodina and the Badminton Club Novi Sad, traditionally organised in "Serbian Athens", confirm that they are a kind of brand. In the specific conditions that are still present in sports and life, we have reached the number of more than 600 participants from 25 countries, which speaks enough that the efforts we invest over the years is recognised and appreciated. After the period that was dominantly marked by the pandemic, with great joy but also responsibility, we welcomed the reunion of a large part of Europe in our country at mass and prestigious competitions. The tournament conditions provided to young competitors and officials were outstanding. We had tried to present the guests with numerous sights and contents of Novi Sad so that their stay will remain in the best possible memory and so that the good reputation, throughout Europe and the world, will continue to spread. I would like to thank Badminton Europe as well as the patrons – the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Serbia, the Provincial Secretariat for Sports and Youth, the City of Novi Sad, the Tourist Organizations of Serbia and Novi Sad and the partners of the competition – Victor, Tin Sped, Minaqua, Ledeni Kvas, Integraltechnic, Siboasi i Koka Plus, for their support in organizing this fantastic sporting event, said Radomir Jovović, the President of the Executive Board of the Badminton Association of Serbia.

Russian players have dominated in BEC Circuit U17 tournament. The U17 winners were: Gleb Stepakov (Russia) – MS, Kaloyana Nalbantova (Bulgaria) – WS, Gleb Stepakov / Ilia Vesnovskiy (Russia), Daria Kharalampovich / Galina Lisochkina (Russia), Ilia Vesnovskiy / Daria Kharalampovich – XD (Russia).

Gleb Stepakov from Russia, winner of two gold and one silver medal in U17 category, was officially declared the most successful competitor of tournaments in Novi Sad.

The Ukrainian team was the most successful in the Serbian Youth International Novi Sad 2021 with 4 gold, 4 silver and 1 bronze medal.

All the medal winners of U17 tournament can be seen at the following link.

All the medal winners of Youth tournament can be seen at the following link.