Africa-Press – Kenya. Kenya’s national badminton teams have set the bar high as they begin their campaigns at the All Africa Senior Badminton Championships in Gaborone, Botswana, starting February 9, with both the men’s and women’s sides targeting semi-final finishes.
The Championships mark Kenya’s return to the continental stage after nearly five years, a comeback that has injected renewed belief into the squads.
Women’s team captain Naomi Wandili said the long-awaited return has boosted confidence, noting that steady growth over recent seasons has prepared the team to challenge Africa’s best.
“We are looking forward to facing Uganda, who we believe are the best in the region, and we hope to make it to the semi-finals,” said Wandili, adding that the team remains confident despite the lengthy absence from the Championships.
Veteran player Jacinta Sengera echoed the semi-final ambition but also highlighted persistent structural challenges affecting women in the sport. She said intimidation and inappropriate demands from some quarters continue to discourage female players from fully pursuing badminton.
“Women are afraid of things like intimidation. There is fear that coaches may want something on the side to train you, and that kills the passion women have for this amazing sport,” Sengera said, calling for safer and more supportive pathways for women.
Men’s captain Sammy Sikoyo described the men’s team as underdogs but determined to make their mark against continental heavyweights. He said the focus remains firmly on reaching the last four, even as they prepare to face traditional powers such as Egypt and South Africa.
“We know they don’t know us, but we know them. We feel like underdogs, but we will try to reach the semi-finals in this edition,” said Sikoyo.
He added that the rare opportunity of an uninterrupted training block has sharpened the squad’s readiness. Sikoyo noted that the team has also used the preparation period to adjust to the plastic shuttle that will be used in Botswana.
“The mood is one of hunger and thirst to win. We haven’t had this opportunity in a while, and it allowed us to train fully and adapt to the new plastic shuttle,” he said.
Badminton Kenya Federation representative Benson Owano said the Championships will provide a crucial benchmark for the national teams against Africa’s regular contenders, particularly those who featured prominently in 2024.
“These competitions feature African sides that were active in 2024, so it is important for us to see where we measure up against the best on the continent,” Owano said.
He added that support from schools, training venues, and stakeholders across the country played a key role in preparations. “During the build-up, we received support from all over, including friendly matches in schools and access to training venues across the country. This helped the team prepare adequately for the Championships,” he said.
