Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – Rachidatou Bilgo and Fatao Tapsoba emerged as the champions of the 6th edition of the Sino-Burkinabè Friendship Badminton Cup, concluding on Sunday, March 29, 2026, in a vibrant atmosphere at Ouagadougou. The tournament showcased intense exchanges and a high level of technical skill, drawing competitors from both Burkina Faso and neighboring Mali.
Bilgo secured her fourth title in the women’s singles final, overcoming former champion Kadidiatou Diallo in a hard-fought match. The first set saw both players trading points, but Bilgo’s experience proved decisive as she closed it out 15-13. Diallo attempted a more aggressive approach in the second set, but Bilgo maintained control and secured a 15-10 victory. The third set confirmed Bilgo’s dominance, winning 15-11 to claim the championship. “The difference was my experience and my endurance,” Bilgo explained. “At one point in the match, I was tired. She was also tired. But because I had more endurance, I was able to hold on.” Bilgo is now focused on preparing for the national championships scheduled for June.
The men’s singles final provided a dramatic turn of events. Abdoul Fayçal Kafando started strongly, racing to a 6-0 lead against Fatao Tapsoba. However, Tapsoba mounted a comeback, eventually taking a 14-13 lead. Kafando then seized the opportunity, winning the first set 16-14 in a tense finish. Tapsoba regrouped, displaying greater patience and concentration in the subsequent sets, ultimately securing victory with scores of 16-9 and 15-10. “It’s the work and the courage,” Tapsoba stated after the match. “I didn’t want to offer up. What allowed me to win was using his weaknesses and reducing my errors because I was eager to score points.” This win marked a significant achievement for Tapsoba, having previously lost in two tournament finals.
Beyond the singles competitions, the tournament saw success for several other athletes. In women’s doubles, the duo of Kadidiatou Kéré and Rachidatou Bilgo triumphed over Kadidiatou Diallo and Djoarata Sébgo. The men’s doubles title went to the pairing of Fatao Tapsoba and Mahamadi Ouédraogo, who defeated Alain Sawadogo and Mashoud Ouédraogo in the final. The para badminton events also saw champions crowned, with Karim Kafando and Kévine Ouédraogo taking the titles in their respective categories.
The Burkina Faso A team dominated the team competition, finishing ahead of Burkina Faso B, although Mali secured third place. The president of the Burkina Faso Badminton Federation, Boukaré Ouédraogo, expressed satisfaction with the high level of competition and announced plans to open the tournament to all countries within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) in the future. “We are satisfied with the high level of the competition. From now on, this Cup will be open to all of UEMOA. At the same time, it will be a preparation tournament for the UEMOA Games,” Ouédraogo said, expressing hope for broader participation in upcoming editions. This year, Mali was the only invited nation able to attend.
Xi Wei, representing the Chinese Ambassador to Burkina Faso, praised the competition during his second attendance at the event. Looking ahead, Wei announced plans for badminton seminars in China in 2026, inviting athletes, coaches, and referees to participate. These seminars will also extend to Chinese martial arts, further strengthening the sporting ties between the two nations.
The Sino-Burkinabè Friendship Badminton Cup continues to serve as a vital platform for developing badminton talent in Burkina Faso and fostering international sporting relationships. The tournament’s expansion to include more UEMOA nations promises to elevate the competition and provide greater opportunities for athletes across the region.
The next major event for many of these athletes will be the national championships in Burkina Faso this June, where they will look to build on their recent successes and prepare for future international competitions. Stay tuned to Archysport for further updates on badminton in Burkina Faso and across the African continent.
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