City Tyres East African Badminton Championship serves off with over 1,200 players
Over 1200 players have subscribed to the event which encompasses a number of categories including the school’s category that has a number of age divisions.
Some of the participants gather during the opening ceremony. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
Expectations were high from different players as the eighth edition of the City Tyres East African Badminton Championship served-off at the Lugogo Indoor Arena on Thursday.
Over 1200 players have subscribed to the event which encompasses a number of categories including the school’s category that has a number of age divisions. The others are the university, the professionals, the corporate, the working class, the veterans, the Asian community, the media and coaches’ categories. It will climax with the ‘nations’ cup.
City Tyres staff and some of their partners pose before the start of the East African Challenge at the Lugogo Indoor Stadium. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
The leading competitors in this year’s edition will collectively receive sh11m in prize money. This represents a significant boost from last year's sh8m distribution, made possible by additional funding by the co-sponsors Linglong and the Emirates National Oil Company Group (ENOC).
Mandela Group CEO Venkantesh Kumar alongside a number of staff and some of their dealers were at hand to witness the official opening of the event which has a galaxy of prizes. Twaha Mahad City Tyres Senior Executive-Corporate Sales said their sponsorship is aimed at boosting the sport and giving back to the community.
“As City Tyres we are keen on sports and when it comes to badminton, we go an extra mile because this event involves multiple categories which for us is good because it is more than community engagement,” Twaha said.
Kakungulu Memorial's Victoria Namubiru in action during the City Tyres East Africa Badminton Challenge at the Lugogo Indoor Stadium, October 16, 2025. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
“It is going to be an exciting event and we call upon the public to come and witness how the players are showcasing their skills and talents.”
Uganda Badminton Association CEO Simon Mugabi said the event attracts massive numbers because it is the season-ender. “The players have prepared well for this event and the better-prepared will get rewarded accordingly,” Mugabi said.
In some of the opening matches in the U-19 girls’ category Kakungulu Memorial School’s Victoria Namubiru beat Mariam High School’s Aaliyah Maryam 2-0 (11-7, 11-7) while Mehera Nadeer won in similar fashion against Abdelrahaman Mohamed Retag in the U-13 category.
Mihad Baby School's Husni Kirumira in action during the City Tyres East Africa Badminton Challenge at the Lugogo Indoor Stadium, October 16, 2025. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
Jehovah Atulinda, Inaaya Sayed and Blessing Agatesi also won their round of 64 games in straight sets against Ram Adiiti, Pricilla Mirembe and Peyton Birungi in the U-10 respectively just like Mary Asiimwe, Zahara Nakaddu, and Bushira Nakate against Eleanor Okware, Daniella Mazzi, and Sheilah Nakibuule in the U-15s’ round of 128.
In some of the other games Patel Krupa beat Riva Hudda 2-0 in the U-13 just like Precious Waida Tongoi, Nadin Shah and Berindah Nakintu against Noah Oduka, Riva Hudda and Dinesh Halai Pritiksha respectively.