Shamika Sets Sights High at World Badminton Championships in New Delhi as 2028 Olympics Dream Continues
Africa’s top-ranked women’s badminton player, Fadilah Shamika Rafi, will live out her childhood dream at the 2026 BWF World Championships in New Delhi, India, from August 17 to 23, as she continues her push toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Fresh off winning the 2026 All-Africa Senior Badminton Championships in Botswana, Shamika has reclaimed her place as the continent’s number one. Speaking from New Delhi, she expressed her pride in flying the flag for Uganda and Africa on the global stage.
“It is a great honor to represent my country and the continent for the second consecutive time,” Shamika said.
She now faces her biggest challenge yet against world-class opposition in New Delhi.
“I have big expectations, and qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is my top priority,” she added.
Shamika opens her campaign on August 17 against Malaysia’s Karupathevan Letshanaa — the next important step in her development.
She and Egypt’s Nour Ahmed Youssri are the only two Africans competing in the tournament.