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Jonathan Rakotoharinivo and Manou Razafitsara captured the under-17 singles titles for the Futura Badminton Club of Antsirabe at the Madagascar national youth championships held at the Ankorondrano gymnasium. The pair’s performance anchored a weekend that highlighted the rapid development of the Vakinankaratra-based club since its establishment in February 2024.
Title Bouts at the Ankorondrano Gymnasium
Rakotoharinivo secured the boys’ under-17 crown by defeating Nithael Andrianirina of Saint-Joseph Mahamasina in straight sets, 21-12, 22-20. In the girls’ division, Manou Jesimaela Razafitsara claimed the championship over Patricia Andrianarison of Saint-Michel Itaosy, also winning 2 sets to 0 with scores of 21-18, 21-9. Both champions are slated to enter the national selection pool ahead of the upcoming CJSOI Games scheduled for 2027.
The club’s success extended further down the age brackets, though two additional finalists from Vakinankaratra finished as runners-up. Voary Ramandimbisoa lost the under-15 girls’ final to Brenda Fanomezantsoa of VTTK Ivato in two sets. Her younger sister, Sarobidy Ramandimbisoa, dropped the under-13 girls’ final to Valisoa Randriamananjara of Saint-Michel Itaosy, also in straight sets.
Growth of the Antsirabe Training Base
Founded by Andriamparany Rakotoharinivo, who serves as technical director, the Futura Badminton Club operates primarily as a training school and maintains a roster of ten licensed players. Despite its small size, the club has consistently produced podium finishes at national youth summits since opening.
In its inaugural year of 2024, the Antsirabe academy secured two titles—the under-15 boys and under-11 girls divisions—alongside three runner-up finishes in the under-17 boys, under-13 girls, and under-11 boys brackets. The following season in 2025, the club expanded its reach by capturing a treble in the under-17 boys, under-13 girls, and under-11 girls categories, complemented by a second-place finish in the under-17 girls event.
