Light at the end of the tunnel for Kenyan badminton

National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) is leveraging on the greenlight given by the World Badminton Federation (WBF) to initiate the election process at Badminton Kenya to finally resolve the long standoff at the federation.

The committee led by athletes representative Humprey Kayange held a consultative meeting with top players to chart a pathway into resolving the issues that led to the federation's suspension. 

Badminton Kenya was suspended by the world governing body last year and as a result, Kenya was deprived of its ability to vote in BWF general meetings. The country could also not receive funding or membership grants, and cannot directly enter players in competitions.

NOC-K appealed to have Kenyan players taje part in this year's Commonwealth Games, and their wish was granted with two players making it to Birmingham. 

Players have also sent a petition to the world body to be allowed to participate in local and international Games as the long-standing wrangles in the federation are resolved. 

NOC-K Secretary General Francis Mutuku during an ANOC meeting two weeks ago met with representatives from WBF and held talks on the current state of the badminton in the country and an agreement was reached.

In a letter dated 17 November 2022 sent by Thomas Lund, the Secretary General of the WBF stated that the Council agreed to NOC-K’s initiative to help see athletes allowed to participate in events, having been in the cold for more than two years.

"The international body is in full support of its general principles and also conveyed its gratitude for our involvement in solving this matter," Mutuku says. 

"At the same time, BWF emphasized on the importance for the new leadership to be elected through inclusive, fair and transparent elections, during which the whole badminton community of Kenya will be invited to participate," he added. 

Kayange speaking after the meeting emphasized on the importance of athletes playing the game they love.

"As an athlete, the urge to play never stops. During the Birmingham Games, a player, Saumya Gupta wrote to BWF for a request to play and a question was raised of the whereabouts of other players. Since then, we have been in talks with BWF and finally we’ve made progress on this unfortunate situation.”

Sammy Sikoyo who made it to the Birmingham Games expressed optimism after the successful meeting.

"I want all athletes to have a taste of that feeling, with all the Games coming up next year, I’d like my peers to head back to their rackets and play, that’s every athlete’s dream," said Sikoyo. 

With an immediate process and a pathway towards elections within three months having been agreed on with BWF, the players will be looking to play at the Africa Games set for 4 to 19 August 2023 in Ghana for Africa’s greatest chance to qualify for Paris 2024.