Nine editions and still counting, the drastic growth of the East African Badminton Challenge tourney

Badminton remains one of the fastest growing indoor games in Uganda, East Africa, Africa and elsewhere of the world.

The ever swelling numbers of players across the divide in either gender given the different age brackets associated with this sport is overwhelming.

At the backdrop of the aforementioned, Uganda Badminton Association (UBA) is best positioned to tap new talents, maintain the recruits and polish up the skilled players to meet the competitive international standards.

Badminton clinics in academies, schools, clubs, internal competitions and international meets are mechanisms of creating a competitive spirit among the players.

The 2026 City Tyres Badminton Challenge currently underway at the Lugogo Indoor Arena in Kampala is testament of the long-standing events on the domestic calendar that Uganda Badminton Association has grown with, over the years.

Now marking the ninth edition since inception, this event has grown in stature, visibility and generally the numbers associated with it.

The inaugural edition registered 250 players across the different age brackets. This number has since multiplied with now over 1500 players at the current event.

Last season, 1118 players were recorded in this very tournament.

The progressive trend is attributed to a numbers of factors at play ranging from the exceptional organization skills from Uganda Badminton Association with the technical arm, raising popularity of the game across the country especially among educational institutions and the good will of strategic parties as Mandela Group of Companies, National Council of Sports (NCS), The Indian Association of Uganda, parents, coaches and many others.

Mandela Group of Companies for instance through the City Tyres brand has time immemorial injected financial resources to precipitate the smooth operations of the tournament and also offered hands on goodies as prize money, T-Shirts for players and officials, certificates and trophies.

Each of the participants has been dressed in a branded T-Shirt with 130 trophies assembled to be given out to the respective top performers per given category.

There will be medals, certificates of recognition and participation as the professionals will earn money.

The men’s and women’s singles champions will each pocket Ug.Shs 1,000,000 apiece.

The doubles’ winners will take home Ug.Shs 900,000 and the runners up assured of Ug.Shs 700,000.

The 2026 edition has witnessed the increment of prize money to Ug.Shs 12,800,000 from Ug.Shs 11,000,000 in 2025.

This is a bold statement of intent, amplifying the magnitude of dedication, love and commitment that Mandela Group of Companies has for this particular championship.

“Mandela Group of Companies is humbled to be associated with Badminton and sports in general. The City Tyres Badminton Challenge is one tournament that we have supported for now 9 editions. We thank the Uganda Badminton Association, the players, their coaches, parents and the media for all the collective support” Herbert Bashasha, head of marketing at Mandela Group of Companies remarked during the official opening day on Wednesday, 14th October 2026.

Regional and international presence:

The City Tyres Badminton Challenge has drastically sprout its wings from the core hosting country Uganda to neighbours Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the China Republic, India and Pakistan, showcasing the might and magnificent power of sport over board.

Beyond the professional contests, organisers have prepared 130 trophies to be awarded across the tournament’s various categories, reflecting its broad participation base.

The City Tyres East African Badminton Challenge has provided many players with invaluable exposure to take an example of Fadilah Shamika who is now Africa’s best top seed for the females. It is truly one of the special events in Ugandan badminton. This year returns bigger and better. With improved funding through Mandela Group and its partner Linglong Tyres, we are ready to move.

Annet Nakamya, president of Uganda Badminton Assocaition

In the schools’ cluster, there will be competition for the U-10, U-13, U-15 and U-19 ages with universities also taking part.

These will be joined by individual players, seniors, pros, corporate, coaches and the newly created Chinese nationals’ pool.

The action will climax on Sunday, 18th October 2026 with different finals and a colourful prize giving ceremony at the Lugogo Indoor Arena.

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