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Uganda Badminton Association (UBA) President Annet Nakamya has applauded Uganda’s junior badminton players for their commendable performances at the 2025 Uganda International Juniors Badminton Tournament, which concluded on Wednesday at Lugogo Indoor Arena.
Despite facing stiff competition on the international stage, Uganda’s young shuttlers put up a spirited fight, securing bronze medals in the doubles events. The men’s pair of Aaron Ndawula and Eric Ofuyuru, alongside the women’s duo of Rebecca Ijuka and Claire Namirembe, emerged as the country’s standout performers.
L-R: Claire Namirembe, Rebecca Ijuka, Ndawula Aaron and Eric Ofoyuru.
A Call for Enhanced Development and Funding
Nakamya acknowledged the challenges that Ugandan players face in international tournaments and emphasized the need for better development structures to bridge the gap between local and global competition.
“International tournaments are always tough, and we need to go back to the drawing board to emphasize development. This will be key in the new strategic plan,” she stated.
She further noted that increased funding would allow Ugandan players to compete in more global tournaments, enhancing their experience and competitiveness.
Challenges in Training and Equipment
Uganda’s junior players highlighted key obstacles hindering their performance, including limited training time and lack of access to professional equipment.
Namirembe pointed out the difficulty of adjusting to feather shuttlecocks, which are standard in international competitions, as most local training is conducted using plastic shuttlecocks.
L-R: Claire Namirembe and Rebecca Ijuka.
“Many of us are in school and get little time to train. It takes a long time to adjust to the level of play at these tournaments,” she explained.
Eric Ofuyuru echoed similar concerns, stressing the importance of consistent exposure and better preparation.
Eric Ofoyuru
“We have what it takes to win, but due to limited training time and lack of equipment, we struggle to match the fitness and speed of international players. However, competing at the International Juniors at Lugogo gives us a chance to learn and exchange ideas with top players,” he noted.
He also emphasized the role of financial incentives in the success of players from other countries, highlighting the need for more investment in Uganda’s junior badminton program.
International Winners Shine
The tournament featured highly competitive matchups, with international players dominating the finals.
In the men’s singles, it was an all-Indian final as Singha Gopinath defeated Angad Muchhal 2-0 to claim his first international junior title.
In the women’s singles, UAE’s Sakshi Kurbkhelgi secured a straight-set victory over Azerbaijan’s Hajar Nuruyeva to clinch the title.
Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Ugandan Badminton
Despite the hurdles, the Uganda International Juniors provided an invaluable learning experience for local players. With improved preparation, resources, and funding, Uganda’s young badminton talents remain optimistic about making a stronger impact in future tournaments.
2025 Uganda International Juniors – Winners
- Men’s Singles: Singha Gopinath (IND) bt Angad Muchhal (IND) 2-0
- Women’s Singles: K. Sakshi (UAE) bt Hajar Nuruyeva (AZE) 2-0
- Men’s Doubles: J. Sachin / A. Muchhal bt K. Gokui 2-0
- Women’s Doubles: B. Tiya / Layna Luxmi bt J. Leyla / N. Hajar 2-0
