Nairobi: Badminton Kenya has dispatched two national teams to represent the country in major international competitions set to take place this week in Botswana and Bahrain. The first team will compete at the All Africa Senior Badminton Championships scheduled for February 9 to 15, 2026, in Gaborone, Botswana, while the second team will participate in the World Para Badminton Championships in Bahrain from February 8 to 14, 2026.
According to Kenya News Agency, Team Manager Benson Owano, speaking on Saturday evening in Nairobi while seeing off the first batch of para-badminton players departing for Bahrain, emphasized the federation’s primary objective of qualifying Kenyan players for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and Paralympic Games. Owano expressed gratitude to the Government of Kenya for its continued support, noting that the two championships would provide a strong foundation for the country’s badminton ambitions.
Owano stated, “This is the first step for us, and we are glad to have both able-bodied and para players representing the country. We have trained well for the last three weeks, and I believe both teams will post good results.” He will manage the able-bodied team heading to Gaborone, with Francis Njoroge serving as head coach and Agnes Odinga as chaperone. The squad comprises seven men and five women.
The men’s team will be captained by Kenya’s top-ranked player, Sammy Sikoyo, who will lead John Wanyoike, Dennis Simiyu, Wilkie Keragori, Joseph Matheri Githitu, Patrick Kinyua, and Edwin Akwanyi. The women’s team will be led by Kenya’s second-ranked player, Jacinta Sengera, alongside top-ranked Naomi Wandili, Brittney Misoy, Blessing Buyanzi, and Yvonne Mwikali.
Meanwhile, the para-badminton team bound for Bahrain, some of whom departed on Saturday evening with others leaving Sunday afternoon, will be coached by Erick Ngumi and managed by Wilson Githinji. The team will be captained by Africa’s number one-ranked player, Anthony Ojwang (SH6). Other team members include Africa silver medallist Mary Nduku (SL3), Africa gold medallist Benson Nduva (SL4), and World Ability sport Air Para Badminton Relays gold medallists Caleb Omollo (SU5) and Elizabeth Nabwire (SL4). Also making the squad are Corrine Mwangi (SH6) and Ann Syombua (Wheelchair 1), completing the men’s and women’s teams aiming to bring glory to the nation.
