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

Oswald Fano-Dosh and Carlos Miguel Kpanou opened with a 15-11 victory. 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 a 45-31 advantage. Gladys Akakpo, Blessing Atchade and Flora Kpogbemabou then sealed the match to set the final score at 60-37.

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

The Beninese delegation includes ten badminton players competing in Entebbe in 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 a qualifying pathway to the next AirBadminton World Championship.