Badminton challenge sparks drive to grow the sport

Boom & Thrive Sports Hub over the weekend hosted a vibrant Campus Badminton Challenge that brought together seven universities in a competition in Nanyuki.

The competition aimed at promoting and expanding the sport across the Mount Kenya region and beyond.

Each participating university fielded four players comprising a male captain, lady captain, best male player, and best lady player, creating a balanced format that showcased both leadership and emerging talent in campus badminton.

The participating institutions included Chuka University, Meru University, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT), Karatina University, Embu University, Kirinyaga University, and Kenya Methodist University (KeMU), Meru campus.

Beyond the matches, the event also served as a platform for discussions on how badminton can be better supported and popularised, particularly among young people in the region.

Gigi Wambui of Chuka University praised the initiative by Boom & Thrive Sports Hub and acknowledged the support of the principal sponsors, Woodchem Traders Company Limited and Mazingira Recyclers Limited.

“We are excited by this initiative, well thought out by Boom & Thrive Sports Hub together with its principal sponsors. Such platforms are important for nurturing talent and growing the sport among the youth,” she said.

Organisers noted that badminton presents a largely untapped opportunity for corporate support, as many companies tend to focus their sponsorship efforts on sports such as golf and major rallies.

They emphasised that badminton has immense potential to develop youth talent, instill discipline, and strengthen community engagement, especially given the number of enthusiastic young players emerging from universities and local clubs.

Participants also highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between corporates and the badminton community, noting that such partnerships could open up networking and employment opportunities for young graduates who possess academic qualifications but remain unemployed.

Speaking during the event, Ibido Sarbo, CEO of Laikipia Heights, expressed his joy at seeing young people channelling their energy and talent into sports.

“It is encouraging to see talented young people choosing positive spaces like sport rather than engaging in vices that have become a challenge to our communities and the country at large,” he said.

Tournament Results:

1st Place: Meru University

2nd Place: Chuka University

3rd Place: Kirinyaga University

4th Place: Dedan Kimathi University of Technology

Men’s Singles Winner: Ken Munene