For many children, the East African Badminton Challenge 2026 is a tournament and a chance to leave the classroom, travel to another school, make new friends and test their skills against unfamiliar opponents.
The excitement of boarding a bus with teammates to the Lugogo Indoor Arena, wearing school colours and exploring a new environment makes the competition memorable. Winning a match or a point adds to the thrill, but the experience goes beyond results.
Uganda hosts the Uganda International, Uganda Junior International and Kampala International Future Series, but local tournaments remain limited. The East African Badminton Challenge gives young local players a chance to compete, socialise and develop their love for the game in huge numbers.
Badminton’s fast pace also appeals to children. With lightweight rackets and a shuttlecock flying across the court, the game keeps them moving, running and jumping while having fun.
For some, the tournament is an opportunity to make friends with children from other schools. For others, it is a chance to prove themselves and experience the excitement of competing away from their usual surroundings with some of their stars like Tracy Naluwooza, Sharifah Mbabazi, Muzafaru Lubega, Reagan Nsubuga and many others in different categories but in the same environment.
Behind the action, however, are coaches working to keep the children focused while balancing their own involvement in the sport.
Many senior badminton players who have attended coaching courses have taken up school coaching, helping introduce the game to a younger generation. To be recognised by the federation as a school badminton coach, one must hold a Level One qualification.
Namakoye’s coaching challenges
Mable Namakoye is among those combining coaching with playing experience. A former women’s doubles medallist at the Kampala International Future Series and Uganda International Badminton Series, she now coaches at Olive School Namugongo.
She says working with children during tournaments requires patience, as they constantly seek their coach’s attention.
“Every after 30 seconds, you will hear a shout calling coach,” Namakoye says.
The children are also curious about other players’ performances and often want to know why they cannot play at the same level.
One of her biggest challenges comes when a player is awarded a walkover.
“A child never listens when they are awarded a walkover. They always want to be on court and play since it’s always a roller coaster of games and they are given very little time to play,” she says.
Despite the demands, Namakoye enjoys the children’s willingness to listen as they prepare to enter the court and their eagerness to interact with players from other schools.
Their enthusiasm makes the experience worthwhile, even when keeping everyone organised becomes difficult.
Shelton Tayebwa shares a similar experience. Still an active player, he also coaches badminton at Shree Sahajanand School Uganda.
Their involvement reflects how players can give back to the sport while continuing to pursue their own ambitions.
The children do not necessarily compete in the school categories according to their under-age classifications.
The East African Badminton Challenge features 13 different categories: boys’ and girls’ Under-10, Under-13, Under-15 and Under-19; boys’ and girls’ doubles; Professionals; Corporates; Chinese; Coaches; Indians; Veterans; and Universities.
The tournament brings together participants from different backgrounds, allowing young players to compete and interact with a wider badminton community.
Other former players who have taken up coaching include Allan Nkire, Derrick Odoch, Gerald Katushabe and Adam.
Kabindi backs former players
Uganda national team coach William Kabindi believes former players taking up coaching is good for the sport’s future.
Through his work at Mbogo High School, Kabindi has continued to contribute to developing young players. He says seeing those he has coached pass on their knowledge to children is particularly rewarding.
“For we who love the game, it makes us happy to see players we have coached and nurtured do enough to take the game to the children,” he says.
“This shows that the game has a bright future and a good foundation.”
Kabindi believes players who have competed in badminton bring valuable practical experience to coaching.
“For a person who has played the game and coaches it, it’s different from one who has learnt it theoretically and come into coaching. Therefore, I uphold Mable and Shelton and urge them to continue going,” he says.
However, combining the two roles can affect a player’s performance, particularly when training young children takes up much of their time.
“If you’re a very active player, it’s very hard. If one is training kids, it’s a very good service, but it takes a bit from you,” Kabindi says.
He describes badminton as a muscle-memory game in which repetition helps children develop their skills. While the youngsters benefit from regular practice, coaches who are also active players risk losing some sharpness in their own movement if they neglect personal training.
“Badminton is a muscle-memory game. In that way, the kids gain twice, but it deteriorates the players in movement,” he says.
Coaching offers another opportunity
Despite the challenges, Kabindi says coaching can provide players with an additional source of income to meet the costs of playing badminton.
Some players struggle to afford essentials such as shoes, rackets and food. Coaching gives them an opportunity to earn money while contributing to the sport’s development.
Kabindi also believes the income can help steer young people away from harmful habits, including theft.
For active players, however, coaching must be balanced with personal training.
He says they often have to complete sessions with the children before heading to Mbogo High School or Sharing Youth Centre for their own training.
It means longer days, but the routine allows them to remain active in competition while helping others improve.
The benefits can extend beyond the court. Some schools scout promising players during these tournaments, giving talented children opportunities that could change their lives.
The East African Badminton Challenge offers competition, friendship, winning a trophy or bicycle and a break from the classroom to the youngsters. For Namakoye and Tayebwa, it is a chance to share their knowledge while remaining involved in the game.
The 2026 East Africa Badminton Challenge is currently underway, running from Wednesday, October 14 to Sunday, October 18, 2026. The annual prestigious tournament is being held at the Lugogo Indoor Arena in Kampala, Uganda.