Benin kicked off the Africa AirBadminton Championships with a commanding 60-37 win against Algeria on Wednesday, September 16, in Entebbe, Uganda. Competing in the team relay, the Beninese squad seized the lead early in the men’s doubles and maintained control through the fourth matchup.

Oswald Fano-Dosh and Carlos Miguel Kpanou set the tone with a 15-11 win in the opening match. Gladys Akakpo and Flora Kpogbemabou then extended the cumulative score to 30-17 in the women’s doubles, giving Benin a 13-point cushion at the halfway mark.

Algeria narrowed the gap in the men’s triples, but the trio of Carlos Miguel Kpanou, Oswald Fano-Dosh, and Julien Totin preserved the essential advantage at 45-31. Gladys Akakpo, Blessing Atchade, and Flora Kpogbemabou then closed out the encounter to seal the 60-37 final score.

This first result puts Benin in a favorable position in Group A, which also includes Algeria and Tunisia. Algeria had previously defeated Tunisia 60-52. Benin’s next outing against Tunisia will be crucial for the group standings.

The Beninese delegation has ten badminton players competing in Entebbe across team, doubles, and triples events. The third edition of the championship brings together 14 nations and more than 120 participants at Aero Beach, according to Badminton Uganda.

The competition continues until September 19. The continental event also serves as part of the qualification pathway for the next AirBadminton World Championships.