Anjuman Bhardwaj playing badminton. Photo: Supplied
With the support of her parents, coach and school, Zambian badminton player Anjuman Bhardwaj will compete at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The 17-year-old hopes to make her country proud while building on her experience in national and international competitions.
By Lydia Makina, bird story agency
Zambian badminton player Anjuman Bhardwaj credits her parents, Rajesh and Dolly Bhardwaj, with helping her become the athlete she is today.
While she appreciates the guidance of her coach, Donald Mabo, the 17-year-old describes her father as an inspiration and coach, and her mother as a source of nutritional support.
Now, with their encouragement, she is preparing to represent Zambia at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
“I am happy to be included in Team Zambia. I am looking forward to making Zambia proud,” an enthusiastic Bhardwaj said at the team’s announcement and send-off in Lusaka.
Bhardwaj was selected as part of a six-athlete Zambian team competing in athletics, judo, swimming and badminton. The National Olympic Committee of Zambia said it had initially applied for 115 athlete places before the final allocation was reduced to six through a quota process.
Hopeful of reaching the podium in Dakar, Bhardwaj also wants to uphold the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect, as well as the principles of clean sport.
“I will do my best to make my country -Zambia proud,” she said.
Her coach sees the Games as a chance for Bhardwaj to gain experience and continue developing as a competitive player.
“Qualifying to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic games is not a mean achievement as our athlete continues shaping into a competitive badminton player,” Mabo said.
Bhardwaj has already represented Zambia internationally. In 2023, she won gold in the women’s singles at the All Africa School Championship in Harare, Zimbabwe. She went on to secure Zambia’s under-19 national badminton title in July 2025.
Despite her young age, she was selected for the senior Badminton Zambia national team. She trained with teammates in Baku before competing at the All-Africa Mixed Senior Championships in Douala, Cameroon, in February 2025.
Team Zambia finished third in its group, while Bhardwaj and other team members advanced to the round of 16 in individual events.
At home, Bhardwaj also made her mark at the 2025 Midlands Open Championship in Lusaka, winning the women’s singles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles titles. She partnered Mary Chilambe in the women’s doubles and Kalombo Mulenga in the mixed doubles, winning the latter final in straight sets.
Away from the court, Bhardwaj says badminton has not meant putting her education on hold. A student at Springfields School in Lusaka, she values the support she receives in keeping up with her academic work.
“I’m really grateful to have this opportunity. A big shout out to my parents, my family, my coaches and my school as well. I’m really grateful to share this Youth Olympic Court with so many great players,” she said.
Bhardwaj hopes to follow in the footsteps of Zambian athletes who have reached the podium at previous Youth Olympic Games, including sprinters Sydney Siame, Kennedy Luchembe and Niddy Mingilishi, and equestrian athlete Bunty Anna Howard.
The National Olympic Committee of Zambia says the country has won four medals across its three previous appearances.
For now, Bhardwaj is focused on the opportunity ahead. With her parents, school and coach behind her, she hopes her performances in Dakar will make Zambia proud.
bird story agency
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