The opening day of the 2026 Kabaka’s thirty third Coronation Badminton Championship lived as much as its billing as certainly one of Uganda’s largest badminton occasions, with greater than 800 gamers from colleges and golf equipment throughout the nation taking to the courts on the CFK Badminton Academy in Kampala.
Held as a part of the celebrations marking the coronation of His Majesty the Kabaka of Buganda, the three-day championship attracted gamers throughout junior, senior, skilled and veteran classes, making a vibrant ambiance as lots of of matches had been performed from morning till late night.
Badminton Uganda President, Annet Nakamya, described the spectacular turnout as a significant milestone for the second version of the championship, noting that participation had considerably elevated from final 12 months’s inaugural occasion.
Speaking throughout the opening day, Nakamya thanked the Buganda Kingdom for offering badminton with a platform to rejoice the Kabaka’s reign whereas additionally nurturing the following era of gamers. She additionally praised the faculties, coaches and fogeys for supporting the younger athletes all through the match.
“This is our second version. We began final 12 months as we celebrated the coronation of the King. Today we have now individuals of over 800 athletes and we’re actually grateful to the Kingdom of Buganda for giving us this chance as a person sport to be a part of these celebrations,” Nakamya stated.
Beyond the competitors, Nakamya inspired individuals to embrace the championship as a studying alternative, reminding those that might not end on the rostrum that each champion as soon as skilled defeat.
“The one that is profitable right now misplaced a while again. So even for those who lose on Sunday, return, work more durable and are available again higher,” she stated.
The opening day featured a packed schedule with preliminary rounds throughout the Under-10, Under-13, Under-15 and Under-19 boys’ and women’ occasions, alongside skilled, senior and veterans competitions. Hundreds of matches had been accomplished as gamers battled for locations within the later rounds of the championship.
Among the standout performances within the skilled ranks, reigning nationwide stars superior comfortably. In the boys’s singles, Muzafaru Lubega, Tendo Kizito Mukalazi, Ahmed Oduka, Akbar Oduka, Alyaan Mawani, Joshua Ekochu and Michael Reagan Nsubuga all booked locations within the quarter-finals after convincing victories. Mukalazi produced one of many day’s most entertaining encounters, recovering from a recreation right down to defeat Rahim Nsubuga 11-15, 15-13, 15-7.
The girls’s singles competitors additionally produced thrilling motion as Tracy Naluwooza, Olivia Nakajja and Nazifah Nakiyemba progressed to the semifinals. Naluwooza defeated Belinda Nabbumba 15-2, 15-3, whereas Nakiyemba edged Doreen Akankunda in an exciting 17-15 second recreation after taking the primary 15-13.
The junior occasions showcased the nation’s rising badminton expertise, with dozens of kids battling by the early knockout rounds in entrance of enthusiastic dad and mom and coaches. The championship’s giant participation mirrored the continued development of faculty badminton throughout Uganda.
For many individuals, the match was about extra than simply profitable medals. Trisha Rhoda of Mbogo High School stated the championship was a chance to measure her progress in opposition to a number of the nation’s finest gamers after months of preparation.
“I’ve been coaching for this championship for a very long time and I’m going to present my finest to realize my goal,” she stated, including that the standard of competitors had motivated her even additional.
Namata Michelle Tendo of the Janan Schools echoed related sentiments, saying the match had allowed her to reconnect with fellow gamers from throughout Uganda whereas inspiring her to enhance.
“I’ve met many colleagues that I’ve seen at completely different competitions earlier than, and seeing how a lot they’ve improved has additionally inspired me to enhance. My purpose is to turn into some of the well-known badminton gamers,” she stated, whereas encouraging extra younger folks to take up the game.
With the opening day’s motion efficiently accomplished, consideration now shifts to the decisive knockout rounds as gamers proceed their quest for the celebrated Kabaka’s Coronation Championship titles, with the match set to conclude on Sunday.
