Badminton takes root in Ngora as Federation expands Grassroots Development

Ngora District has become the latest hub in Uganda’s growing badminton movement, as a nationwide grassroots development programme gains momentum.

The two-day badminton workshop at Ngora High School marked the second phase of a broader effort to spread the sport across the country, targeting schools, teachers, students, and local communities alike.

Leading the programme, Badminton Uganda CEO Simon Mugabi emphasised that the long-term vision is to take badminton beyond urban centres and embed it within rural communities.

With participation from teachers representing over 15 schools, the training workshop focused on equipping educators with the technical and practical knowledge needed to introduce and sustain the sport of badminton in their respective institutions.

“We are looking at a holistic approach,” Mugabi noted. “Teachers, students, and the community all play a role. When teachers are empowered, they pass on these skills, and that is how the sport grows.”

The two-day workshop combined theory with hands-on training, covering fundamental techniques such as racket handling, footwork, serving, and both offensive and defensive play. For many participants, it was their first structured exposure to badminton coaching.

Emily Caroline, an ICT teacher and sports enthusiast at Ngora High School, highlighted the impact of the training, especially for promoting girls’ participation in sports.

“This is a great opportunity to make the game popular,” she said. “We’ve learned essential skills like forehand and backhand techniques, movement, and positioning. I’m excited to pass this on to my students.”

Students themselves were equally inspired. lyna Achom Aya, a Form 1 student, shared her ambitions after attending the workshop. “I’ve learned serving, attacking, and defensive formations. I want to continue improving and eventually represent Uganda internationally,” she said.

For Physical Education teachers, the workshop filled a critical gap between casual play and structured coaching. Simon Peter Okwakol, a PE teacher at Ngora High School, explained how the training transformed his approach.

“Before, I would just let students play without proper guidance,” he admitted. “Now I understand footwork, service techniques, and how to teach them effectively. This will make a big difference in how students learn and perform.”

Similarly, Erasmus Levy from Cobwin Seed Secondary School described the experience as transformative. “We’ve learned how to handle the shuttlecock, proper footwork, and game rules—things we had never fully understood before,” he said. “Now we can confidently teach and expand this knowledge to others.”

The Ngora training is part of an ambitious plan to reach more than 30 districts in the current phase, with the ultimate goal of covering the entire country. Beyond basic training, the programme also supports the development of technical officials, ensuring a strong foundation for competitive play and organized tournaments.

In districts like Ngora, participation in national school competitions has historically been limited. However, with trained teachers and growing student interest, that is expected to change.

Community engagement is also a key component. As residents observe and participate in the sport, the federation believes curiosity will turn into enthusiasm—further accelerating the sport’s spread.

The combination of teacher training, student involvement, and community outreach is creating a sustainable pathway for growth.

As Erasmus aptly put it, “When more workshops like this are organized, the whole country will have this game at hand and Uganda’s flag will fly high.”

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