Ugandan badminton star Fadilah Shamika Mohamed Rafi is set to fulfil a childhood dream when she makes her second time at the 2026 BWF World Championships in New Delhi, India, from August 17 to 23.
The 21-year-old earned her place at the global showpiece after successfully defending her women’s singles title at the 2026 All-Africa Senior Badminton Championships in Botswana. Her victory cemented her position among Africa’s leading women’s singles players and secured Uganda a place on the world stage.
Shamika’s journey to the World Championships has been built on steady progress since she made her senior continental debut as a teenager. She won her first African senior singles title in 2023 and returned to the top of the continent in 2026 after overcoming a difficult period that included injury and a semi-final exit in the previous edition.
Speaking after her evening training session in New Delhi, Fadilah expressed her pride in representing Uganda and Africa on the international stage.
“I am going to take part in the championship for the second consecutive time, and this is a pleasure to represent my country and the continent as well,” Shamika said.
The Ugandan believes her time in Mauritius has given her valuable experience and confidence ahead of the tournament.
“I have been in a training camp in Mauritius. I have learnt a lot, and I expect to showcase the best of me. Of course, I am well prepared for the tournament,” she added.
Fadilah is under no illusion about the quality of her first-round opponent but remains focused on putting her preparations into practice.
“She is a very good player, but I hope to give my best, of course, and showcase what I have been practising,” she said.
Targeting a strong World Championships debut Shamika now faces a considerably bigger challenge in New Delhi, where she will test herself against the world’s best players.
The Ugandan has made it clear that she is not travelling merely to make up the numbers. She wants to use the tournament to measure her progress against elite opposition, including the world’s leading players.
“I have big expectations ahead,” Shamika said in a previous interview, while identifying maintaining her status as Africa’s number-one player and qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as her major ambitions.
Her first-round assignment is against Malaysia’s Karupathevan Letshanaa, with the match scheduled for August 17.
The World Championships represent another important step in Shamika’s development as she looks beyond continental success. Her longer-term objective is to qualify for the 2028 Olympics, and competing against the world’s elite in New Delhi will provide valuable experience towards that goal.
Shamika will be one of Africa’s leading representatives in the women’s singles draw, with Egypt’s Nour Ahmed Youssri also representing the continent. Uganda’s rising star will therefore have an opportunity not only to make history for herself but also to showcase the growing strength of African badminton on the biggest international stage.
