The ninth edition of the City Tyres Badminton Challenge served off on Wednesday at Lugogo Indoor Arena, with organisers targeting more than 1,500 participants as the tournament continues to expand its regional and international footprint.
Running until Sunday, October 18, the five-day championship has grown significantly since its inaugural edition, which attracted 250 participants, while this year’s projected turnout surpasses the record 1,118 players registered in 2025.
The growth has been accompanied by an increase in prize money, with the total purse rising to Shs12.8 million from Shs11 million last year, underlining the organisers’ ambition to strengthen the tournament’s competitive appeal.
Players from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan, China and India are participating in the championship, making it one of the prominent badminton competitions on the regional calendar.
In the professional category, the men’s and women’s singles champions will each pocket Shs1 million, while winners in the respective doubles categories will receive Shs900,000.
Runners-up will take home Shs700,000, alongside medals and trophies for the respective winners.
Beyond the professional contests, organisers have prepared 130 trophies to be awarded across the tournament’s various categories, reflecting its broad participation base.
Badminton Uganda president Annet Nakamya attributed the competition’s sustained growth to increased corporate investment, particularly the backing of Mandela Group and its partner Linglong Tyres.
“This competition provides many players with invaluable exposure. It’s truly one of the special events in Ugandan badminton,” Nakamya said.
“This year returns bigger and better. With improved funding through Mandela Group and its partner Linglong Tyres, we are ready to move.”
Nakamya also credited the sponsors for supporting the development of Ugandan badminton and its growing continental profile, pointing to Uganda’s standing in the sport and Fadillah Shamikah’s position as Africa’s number-one seed.
Mandela Group representative Herbert Bashasha said the partnership was driven by the opportunity to connect with communities through sport.
“We are very proud of this partnership. We find badminton as the genuine route to reach the community,” Bashasha said.
The tournament’s expanded programme includes school competitions in the U10, U13, U15 and U19 age groups, university contests, seniors, individual events, professionals, corporate players and coaches.
A Chinese Nationals category has also been introduced for this year’s edition.
Officially launched in Kampala on September 17, the championship is seeking to build on last year’s participation record, which drew players from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and South Sudan.
With increased participation, a bigger prize purse and a diverse international field, the City Tyres Badminton Challenge is positioning itself as an increasingly important platform for talent development and competitive exposure in the sport.
“We are very proud of this partnership. We find badminton as the genuine route to reach the community,” Bashasha said.
The tournament’s expanded programme includes school competitions in the U10, U13, U15 and U19 age groups, university contests, seniors, individual events, professionals, corporate players and coaches.
A Chinese Nationals category has also been introduced for this year’s edition.
With increased participation, a bigger prize purse and a diverse international field, the City Tyres Badminton Challenge is positioning itself as an increasingly important platform for talent development and competitive exposure in the sport.
