The drive to grow badminton across Uganda continues to gather momentum, with Badminton Uganda intensifying its grassroots development programme in the Teso sub-region through extensive training of teachers, students, and technical officials.

Led by Uganda Badminton Chief Executive Officer Simon Mugabe, the nationwide initiative aims to establish a strong foundation for the sport in schools and communities by equipping local educators with coaching and tournament management skills.

Speaking during a training session in Soroti District, Mugabe said the federation has made significant progress in covering the Teso region, leaving only a few districts yet to be reached.

“We are almost done with Teso. Out of the entire region, only a few districts remain uncovered. We started in Serere, moved to Kaberamaido, Katakwi, and now Soroti. The response has been very encouraging,” he said.

The programme focuses on empowering teachers with the knowledge required to introduce, coach, and develop badminton players from beginner level through to competitive participation. However, the latest phase has gone beyond coaching by incorporating training for technical officials.

According to Mugabe, this additional component is a game-changer for the development of the sport.

“We are teaching teachers not only how to train players but also how to officiate and manage tournaments. This means schools and districts can now organize competitions independently and fairly without always relying on Badminton Uganda,” he explained.

The training covers tournament organization, court setup, rules and regulations, officiating, scoring systems, and player development pathways. By building local capacity, Badminton Uganda hopes to establish sustainable structures that will allow the sport to thrive in schools throughout the country.

The Teso programme is part of a wider national expansion strategy that will next move to the West Nile region, covering 13 districts, before extending to South and North Karamoja, Busoga, Central Uganda, and eventually the Western region.

“Our goal is to ensure badminton reaches every corner of Uganda. We want schools and communities to own the sport and drive its growth from the grassroots,” Mugabe added.

For many schools in the Teso region, the training represents an opportunity to diversify their sporting programmes and create new pathways for student participation and achievement.

At Soroti Secondary School, games teacher Susan Alice Achola described the training as a transformative experience.

“In the beginning, Soroti SS did not have badminton as a game. We concentrated on football, netball, and handball. While those games have been competitive, we have not always progressed very far,” Achola said.

She noted that the training has provided teachers with practical knowledge on officiating, equipment use, coaching techniques, and player development.

“We have benefited a lot. Now we have the skills to train our students properly. I believe we shall identify and nurture talent, and in future our learners will be able to compete at much higher levels.”

The enthusiasm was echoed by Samuel Ojula Adonis, a teacher at Light Secondary School in Soroti. Ojula revealed that he had first encountered badminton in the 1990s, but the recent training reignited his passion for the sport.

“This programme has reminded me about badminton and its value. The school is going to benefit because I can now train students and prepare them for district competitions, national championships, and potentially the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Associations games,” he said.

He particularly praised the discipline embedded within the sport. “The footwork, serving techniques, rules, and regulations all require players to be disciplined and attentive. Those are valuable life skills for learners.”

The impact of the programme is already being felt among students who are experiencing badminton for the first time.

Jessica Nafuna, a Senior Two student at Soroti Secondary School, said the training had opened her eyes to a new sporting opportunity.

“I am very happy to have learned about badminton. I have discovered many new skills, and I hope to continue improving. The game teaches us exercise, discipline, and teamwork. I believe I can go far if I continue training.”

For many young people, badminton offers an alternative to traditional school sports while providing opportunities for competition, personal growth, and potentially national representation.

Meanwhile, Lucy Achen described the training as her first practical experience with badminton. “I had heard about the game before, but this is my first time playing it. I have really enjoyed it and I want to learn more about both playing and officiating,” she said.

Achen plans to introduce badminton at her school and believes her background in volleyball will help her adapt quickly to the sport.

“There are similarities in movement and coordination. I am excited to take this knowledge back to my learners and help them discover the game.”

As Badminton Uganda continues its nationwide outreach programme, the federation is laying the groundwork for a stronger and more competitive badminton ecosystem across the country.

With Teso now nearing full coverage and expansion plans targeting West Nile, Karamoja, Busoga, Central Uganda, and the Western region, the federation’s vision of a truly national badminton network is steadily becoming a reality.

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A number of opportunities have emerged for former badminton players at state, national and international levels to apply as coaches who will consequently take charge of the country’s squads at various levels, Sports247 reports.

The opportunity of becoming a coach of one of the country’s national teams is provided in an open invitation that has been extended by the technical committee of Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) to interested applicants nationwide.

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A long line of requirements and qualifications were spelt out in the notice of job vacancies that has been made public by the BFN, top of which is that the applicant must be an ex-player and not older than 55 years old.

The requirements also include responsibilities relating to safety, administration, ethics, youth development and strategies of coaching, including maintaining a conducive training environment, sportsmanship and accurate performance records.

BFN also noted that, beyond technical expertise, national coaches are expected to serve as mentors, disciplinarians, role models and planners who will contribute to building resilience, confidence, and professionalism among athletes.

A statement by the media department added, “Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) has announced vacancies for national coaching positions as part of efforts to reposition the sport for sustained growth and international success.

“In a nationwide call for applications, the federation (revealed that the) available positions include head coach, assistant coach i, and assistant coach ii for the senior national team, junior national team, and para badminton team.

“The coaches will be responsible for designing and implementing training programmes, improving players’ tactical abilities, conducting performance analysis, and preparing athletes for local and international competitions.

“To be eligible, applicants must possess a coaching certification recognized by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), the Badminton Confederation of Africa (CBA), or a higher qualification.

“Candidates must also have prior experience representing Nigeria or a state at national competitions, with coaching experience at either level considered an added advantage.

“Other requirements include computer literacy, strong communication and mentoring skills, analytical ability, planning competence, flexibility, and adherence to professional ethics. Applicants must not be older than 55 years.”

The post Badminton Ex-internationals, Former State Players Get Opportunities To Coach Nigeria’s National Teams first appeared on Sports247 Nigeria.

The post Badminton Ex-internationals, Former State Players Get Opportunities To Coach Nigeria’s National Teams appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

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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