- The successful hosting of the All Africa Senior Championships has elevated Botswana’s standing in continental sport, showcasing organizational excellence while revealing a clear pathway for future competitive growth.
TLOTLO KEBINAKGABO
Botswana reached a defining sporting moment in February after hosting the All Africa Senior Championships, one of African badminton’s flagship tournaments. Held from February 9 to 15, 2026, at Royal Aria in Tlokweng, the championships attracted a record 192 athletes from 19 countries — the biggest turnout in the event’s history.
“The championships were a historic milestone and, without doubt, one of the most successful tournaments in African badminton history,” said Thobo Tshosa, spokesperson for the Botswana Badminton Association. “The organization, level of competition, and overall execution reflected excellence and strong collaboration among all stakeholders.”
Continental Recognition
The unprecedented participation underlined Botswana’s growing credibility as a host nation. According to Tshosa, the scale of the event demonstrated that the country is capable of delivering high-level international competitions.
“With a record of 192 athletes from 19 countries, this remarkable turnout shows that Botswana has the capacity, infrastructure, and organizational competence to host events of this magnitude — and potentially even larger tournaments in the future,” he said. “It strengthens our reputation within the African badminton community.”
Officials from across the continent praised the smooth running of the championships, from logistics and officiating to athlete welfare and scheduling.
Budget Pressures
Behind the scenes, however, organizers faced financial constraints. While the available funding was sufficient to stage the tournament, it left little room for error.
“The primary challenge was working within a tight budget,” Tshosa explained. “We had enough funds to deliver the event, but there was very limited flexibility for contingencies. That required careful planning, disciplined financial management, and strong partnerships to ensure smooth execution.”
Despite those pressures, the championships concluded without major disruptions, reinforcing confidence in the association’s administrative systems.
Lessons Learned
For Botswana badminton, the event was as much a learning experience as it was a celebration.
“We learned that we are fully capable as an association of delivering world-class events,” Tshosa said. “The experience helped us identify our strengths and areas for improvement, and it has given us a clearer strategic direction for future growth and development.”
That clarity is expected to inform future bids and long-term planning within the sport.
Team Botswana Growth
On the court, Team Botswana showed signs of steady progress. Although the team exited in the group stages of the team event and reached the quarterfinals in individual competitions, performances reflected growing competitiveness.
“Team Botswana showed significant development compared to last year, particularly in terms of competitiveness and match performance,” Tshosa said. “While we did not reach the podium, the progress demonstrated is encouraging and provides a strong foundation for future success.”
Pathway Forward
The championships also highlighted the need for a stronger development pipeline.
“This experience has shown the importance of establishing a clear player development pathway,” Tshosa said. “To compete consistently at this level, we must strengthen grassroots structures, talent identification, coaching systems, and regular exposure to high-level competition.”