By 
On a sunlit Friday morning in Nsambya, the echoes of shuttle smacks and laughter filled the air of the Sharing Youth Centre. But this was no ordinary day.
Uganda’s badminton legend, Edwin Ekiring, returned, not as a visitor, but as a son coming home. His presence wasn’t just nostalgic; it was symbolic. This was a homecoming defined by gratitude, purpose and giving back.
A Hero’s Humble Beginnings
Born and raised just across the slums of Nsambya, within sight of today’s Arena Mall and Mestil Hotel, Ekiring’s story began on the same modest courts of Sharing Badminton Club, Uganda’s oldest badminton club, established in 1990.
Under the watchful eye of coach Godfrey Kivumbi and with guidance from Simon Mugabi, now CEO of Uganda Badminton Association (UBA), a young boy with raw energy and boundless dreams found his calling.
“This is where I started,” Ekiring said, emotion heavy in his voice. “Sharing was one of the places that introduced me to badminton. I was just a little guy.”
From Nsambya to the World Stage
Ekiring’s career is one of perseverance and trailblazing success. From the dusty courts of Nsambya to the Olympic arenas of Beijing (2008) and London (2012), he has flown Uganda’s flag high.
With appearances in four Commonwealth Games and three African Games, his rise is not just remarkable, it’s inspirational. Yet, in all his international triumphs, Ekiring never lost sight of where it all began.
Giving Back Where It Matters Most
Despite a short-notice return to Uganda on April 10th, 2025, his first stop was Sharing Badminton Club. Not for fanfare or accolades, but to fulfill a personal mission: give back to the community that shaped him.
Ekiring came bearing more than memories. He donated equipment :rackets, shuttles, shoes, and jerseys, all sent from his Dutch family, Lloyd and Giorgio Van Zaalen, who embraced him in 2006 and remain part of his extended home.
“They looked for rackets and now they’re here, donated for the kids,” he shared. “It’s about giving these young players a shot, just like I was given.”
A Legacy That Lives On
For UBA CEO Simon Mugabi, the moment was deeply emotional. He had seen Ekiring grow from a determined youth to an African powerhouse.
UBA CEO Simon Mugabi (in Green)
“Ekiring’s return is something money can’t buy,” Mugabi reflected. “He’s a pioneer, one of our first from Sharing Youth Center. He and Ben Mayega faced giants and became giants.”
The club, once limited to just five players, has become a launchpad for talent now found across the world from South Africa to America and Europe.
More Than a Club, A Lifeline
Sharing Badminton Club has long been more than a sports venue. As Brother Bonkoungou Nazaire said, it has been a lifeline for countless youth. “It is a gift for us to meet you again,” he told Ekiring. “You pass through others to grow. Today, you help others grow.”
His words struck a chord, the essence of “Sharing” is exactly that: passing on opportunities, values, and hope.
Lighting the Way Forward
Before heading back to the Netherlands, Ekiring plans to tour other parts of Uganda, continuing his efforts to promote the country and uplift communities through sport.
His return is not just a chapter in his personal journey; it’s a message to every young dreamer in Uganda: no matter how far you go, never forget where you came from.-
Through Edwin Ekiring, the story of Nsambya lives on, not just in memories, but in motion, inspiration, and action.
