Tiasetra Raherimanana embodies a new generation of badminton players in Madagascar. Technical manager of the Malagasy Federation, badminton and para-badminton coach, but also sports journalist at GSTv, he wears multiple hats with an intact passion for a discipline that is still little publicized in the country.
An ambitious young man but also passionate about badminton, Tiasetra Raherimanana is on the royal road to becoming a name to remember in this discipline. Having gone through the stages of player, technician and now manager, he is a complete sportsman who also adds the profession of journalist to his career. Enough to make him a future pillar of Malagasy badminton. Indeed, his story with the wheel began in 2010 when he was a student at Saint Joseph Mahamasina High School. “Every morning, before entering class at 7 a.m., I saw young people playing. I wanted to try, as I already loved sport” he confides. From this curiosity was born a vocation. For more than a decade, he played within the Saint Joseph Mahamasina club (2010-2021), before founding his own club, the Manjakandriana Badminton Club, to put into practice the training received.
For a promising future
Tiasetra’s track record testifies to her commitment and dedication. He is Madagascar champion in U18 men’s doubles in 2016, then in Serie B in 2017 and 2021. In 2023, he won a team bronze medal at the Island Games as an assistant coach. Added to this are international certifications, Badminton World Federation (BWF) Level I coach in 2018 in Antananarivo, BWF Para-Badminton coach in 2019 in Nigeria, training in sports management by Badminton C$onfederation of Africa (BCA) in 2023 in Senegal, and very recently qualified “Sports Manager” from the International Olympic Committee in 2025. Beyond the titles, his ambition is clear. “I want every child to be able to play badminton, because it is a sport that develops the mind and body. I also want to share my experiences with young athletes so that they can go further” he says. But obstacles remain, lack of financial support, limited infrastructure and time constraints for athletes who are often divided between studies and work. With her new status as sports leader, Tiasetra Raherimanana intends to strengthen her action within the federation. He plans to set up projects allowing athletes to benefit from better training conditions. Its long-term objective is to give real professional status to players and coaches so that they can make a living from their discipline and devote themselves fully to competition. An ambitious vision that could transform the Malagasy badminton landscape.
Manjata Razafy
