Dinah Acom’s debut at the City Tyres East Africa Badminton Challenge has given her more than an opportunity to compete on a regional stage. It has strengthened her dream of becoming a badminton champion and pursuing a professional career in the sport.

The Ngora High School student is among more than 30 emerging players from Eastern Uganda participating in the ninth edition of the championship at Lugogo Indoor Stadium after discovering badminton through Badminton Uganda’s Shuttle Time grassroots development programme.

For Acom and her fellow debutants, the tournament represents an important step in their sporting journeys, providing exposure to experienced opponents, new playing environments and the standards required to excel in competitive badminton.

Although the level of competition has challenged her, Acom believes the lessons gained in Kampala will help her return home a better player with a clearer understanding of what she needs to achieve her ambitions.

“It is a very tough and competitive championship, far beyond what I expected. I have been challenged by younger players who possess much better skills and a deeper understanding of the game than I do,” Acom said.

“You can face a young girl who already knows when to play a defensive shot, smash, make runs and exploit your weaknesses. These are things I am still learning, and it has not been easy to match their quality.”

Rather than being discouraged, Acom has embraced the experience as an opportunity to learn from players who have enjoyed more training and competitive exposure.

The championship has also helped her appreciate the importance of adapting to different playing conditions. The facilities at Lugogo differ from those available in Ngora, offering her valuable experience that she can use to improve her game.

“The facilities here and those in Ngora are completely different in both quality and size. It has taken me time to adapt and get used to them,” she explained.

“While you are still adjusting, you meet a young player from the central region who has been training for four years and knows how to make you run throughout the game. It has been difficult to match that level.”

For Acom, the lessons extend beyond technical skills. She has developed a greater appreciation of the physical fitness, flexibility, endurance and quick thinking needed to compete successfully.

“You must be fit enough to run throughout the game. I used to think badminton involved less running, but I have learnt that you need endurance, flexibility and quick thinking.

“You must also be willing to learn from people who are better than you, regardless of their age,” she said.

With the experience now providing motivation for her next stage of development, Acom is determined to build on what she has learnt when she returns to Ngora.

“I am going back to Ngora motivated to work harder. In the next few years, I want to become a champion, and my ultimate target is to build a professional career in badminton,” she added.

Shuttle Time expands badminton opportunities

Acom’s journey reflects the opportunities being created by Shuttle Time, Badminton Uganda’s grassroots programme aimed at introducing more children to the sport and establishing pathways for emerging talent.

Badminton Uganda Chief Executive Officer Simon Mugabi says the programme is helping young people in communities with limited access to badminton discover their abilities and gain opportunities to compete.

“Shuttle Time is helping us take badminton closer to communities that have traditionally had limited access to the sport.

“By introducing young people to badminton and equipping them with basic skills, we are creating a foundation from which talent can be identified and nurtured,” Mugabi said.

He emphasised that providing young players with opportunities to compete is an important part of their development, enabling them to learn from others and set goals for their future.

“Our objective is not simply to introduce children to badminton, but to provide them with pathways to improve, compete and eventually represent their schools, districts and country.

“Exposure to championships of this nature helps them understand the standards required and what they need to do to improve,” he noted.

The growing reach of the programme is reflected in the participation of players from seven Eastern Ugandan districts: Butaleja, Ngora, Pallisa, Mbale, Soroti, Serere and Busia.

Their presence at the regional championship demonstrates how grassroots initiatives can bring opportunities closer to young athletes and enable them to experience competition beyond their local communities.

Teachers gain valuable experience

The championship has also created learning opportunities for games teachers Hellen Cheruto of Mulagi Girls School and Vincent Achadu of Olok Seed Secondary School.

By observing and participating in a competition of this standard, the teachers have gained a better understanding of the technical and tactical skills required to develop competitive players.

Achadu believes the experience will help strengthen badminton development in schools, particularly if teachers receive continued technical guidance and regular training opportunities.

“Participating in a championship of this standard has been an eye-opener. It exposes both teachers and players to the level of preparation, technical ability and tactical awareness required to compete.

“However, we need more technical guidance and regular training opportunities to help us develop our players effectively,” he said.

Building the capacity of teachers will be important in ensuring that the skills and inspiration gained at Lugogo continue to benefit young players long after the championship concludes.

Champions crowned in four categories

Meanwhile, the 2026 City Tyres East Africa Badminton Challenge has already produced champions in four categories ahead of its scheduled conclusion on Sunday, October 19, at Lugogo Indoor Stadium.

Fredieh Kirabo won gold in the men’s coaches’ category, with Adam Mubiru taking silver. Meble Namakoye claimed gold in the women’s coaches’ event, ahead of Nabirungi.

Thomas Biju and Irish Krishnan Naveen secured the veterans’ unisex doubles title after edging William Kabindi and Godfrey Kivumbi 3–2 in the final.

Ndejje University emerged champions in the university category, with Uganda Christian University finishing as runners-up.

While the established competitors celebrate their achievements, the championship is also planting seeds of ambition among young players experiencing regional competition for the first time.

For Acom, the journey towards becoming a champion begins with the lessons she will carry back to Ngora. Through programmes such as Shuttle Time, that dream is becoming more tangible for young players who now have opportunities to learn, compete and imagine a future representing their schools, districts and country.

Her debut at Lugogo may be the beginning of a much longer journey, but it has already given her something valuable: the experience, motivation and belief to keep pursuing her badminton dream.