On the golden sands of Mont Choisy Beach in Mauritius, the Africa AirBadminton Championships has been more than just a competition, it has been a celebration of dreams, resilience, and the unbreakable bond of family. Among the inspiring stories that have emerged, one stands out: the journey of Khediri Elaa from Tunisia, a young athlete with willpower in her heart and a vision for the future of AirBadminton in her country.
Khediri Elaa, alongside her teammates Ben Ahmed Malek and Hachemi Fadoua, made it to the finals of the Women’s Triple event, an achievement that filled Tunisia with pride. Their opponents, a formidable trio from South Africa, Amy Ackerman, Deidre Laurens, and Danita Olivier proved to be tough competitors. Though Tunisia didn’t clinch the gold, the match was far from a defeat for Elaa and her team. Instead, it was a stepping stone, a moment of growth and learning.
Speaking to BCA TV after the match, Elaa’s perspective was nothing short of inspiring. “For us, today this is a loss but in a good way. This has now enabled us to understand and dive more into AirBadminton and how we should play and train. I assure you that at the next Continental AirBadminton Championships, Tunisia will be a strong force. Once we go back to our country, we will invest more time and resources in AirBadminton so that we can reach that level and go beyond.”
Her words echoed resilience, and the unwavering spirit of a young athlete who refuses to settle for less. For Elaa, this was not the end—it was a beginning.
Adding to the touching narrative is the presence of her mother, Awatef Ghalloussi, a respected BWF umpire. Watching her daughter play on an international stage was a moment of immense pride and emotion for Awatef. In an exclusive interview with BCA TV, she shared,
“I am extremely satisfied with my daughter’s performance. This is the first time we are organizing an Africa AirBadminton Championship, and she has trained extremely hard for this. At home, we are all happy that Elaa and her team have made Tunisia proud. Now that AirBadminton is evolving, this will definitely take a whole new dimension. I know that Tunisia will definitely cope with it and be there in the next championship even stronger than ever.”
This isn’t just a story of a young athlete and her mother; it’s a story of Tunisia’s rise in AirBadminton. In their first attempt at the Africa AirBadminton Championships, Tunisia secured a bronze medal in the team event, a historic moment that reflects the country’s growing commitment to this dynamic new sport.
For Elaa, the championships have been a learning experience. For Awatef, they’ve been a testament to her daughter’s hard work and the promising future of AirBadminton in Tunisia. Together, their story is a beacon of hope, illustrating the beauty of sports in uniting families, inspiring nations, and fostering a spirit of perseverance.
As the sun set over Mont Choisy Beach, one thing became clear: Tunisia may not have won the gold, but they’ve won something far more valuable, a renewed determination and a promise to return stronger. Khediri Elaa’s journey is only just beginning, and with the support of her family, her team, and her nation, the future of Tunisian AirBadminton shines bright.
