Ouagadougou: The finals of the 6th edition of the Burkinabe and Chinese Friendship Cup in badminton were held Sunday in Ouagadougou, showcasing the technical prowess and spectacle of the competitors, as reported by the AIB.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the matches were of notable quality, with the participation of Malian badminton players. The competitions included categories such as women's singles and doubles, men's singles and doubles, amateur, and para badminton. In the women's doubles, the team of Kadidiatou K©r© and Rachidatou Bilgo triumphed over Kadidiatou Diallo and Djoarata S©bgo.
In the men's doubles category, Abdoul Fatao Tapsoba and Mahamadi Ou©draogo emerged victorious against Alain Sawadogo and Mashoud Ou©draogo. Fatao Tapsoba claimed the title in men's singles, while Rachida Bilgo excelled in women's singles.
In para badminton, Karim Kafando and K©vine Ou©draogo were crowned champions, defeating Ousmane Sawadogo and Boureima Compaor©, respectively.
In the team competition, Burkina Faso A secured the top position, followed by Burkina Faso B. Mali, the guest of honor, took the third place, while Niger was unable to attend due to last-minute constraints.
Rachidatou Bilgo, a four-time winner, noted her experience and endurance as key factors in her victory. She emphasized the need to refocus for the national championship in June, stating, "I need to train more."
Fatao Tapsoba, the men's singles winner, expressed his emotions, saying, "I exploited my opponent's weaknesses and minimized my errors to win. Initially, I was eager to score points, but in badminton, patience is crucial. This was my sixth participation, and after losing two finals, I finally won this year."
Dr. Boukaru Ou©draogo, President of the Burkinabe Badminton Federation, expressed satisfaction with the successful organization of the Friendship Cup. He praised the players' performance and expressed hope for broader participation in future editions, aiming to involve all AES countries. This event is also seen as preparation for the upcoming AES games, which Burkina Faso will host, with hopes that badminton will be included.
Xi Wei, the representative of the Chinese ambassador, attending the event for the second time, appreciated the competition and hoped for its continuation. He announced plans for a seminar in China this year to further promote the sport by inviting players, coaches, and referees.
The competition was sponsored by the minister in charge of sports and presided over by the Chinese embassy.