Officiating Role Empowers Asiimwe, Ramasamy

January 6, 2025

SU5 star Ritah Asiimwe and retired Para shuttler Batri Narayanan Ramasamy had the unique opportunity to serve as line judges at the recently-concluded HSBC BWF World Tour Finals 2024 in Hangzhou, China.

The opportunity arose after BWF sent out an open invitation to current and former Para badminton players to apply. Candidates needed to be in good standing with their National Paralympic Committee and/or Member Association, demonstrate their passion for badminton and how the pathway would benefit them. BWF shortlisted 12 persons and the two who made the final cut received on-site training from certified BWF Technical Officials.

Asiimwe in action in Hangzhou.

For Asiimwe, the trip to Hangzhou marked several firsts.

Not only was it her first time in China, but it was also her debut as an international line judge. A active player, the Ugandan competed at the BWF Para Badminton World Championships in Thailand in February. Previously, the 38-year-old represented her country at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics on Para badminton’s debut.

More recently, Asiimwe has been balancing her sporting career with motherhood, following the birth of her son Gabriel in August.

“When I applied, I was just two months into my recovery after a cesarean,” she shared, emphasising the challenges of juggling her new role with family commitments. She trained her baby to transition to formula feeding for the trip, making the experience even more memorable.

Describing her time as a line judge as transformative, Asiimwe said: “At first, I was nervous – seven out of 10. But after a few matches, I felt more like a nine. I’m confident now.”

Asiimwe officiated 10 high-profile matches across two days, including one featuring Japan’s Kodai Naraoka and Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen. Observing world-class athletes up close, she marvelled at their precision, agility and explosive gameplay.

“The level here is so different from Para badminton. It’s all about speed, calculation, and sharp focus.”

Inspired by the experience, she hopes to advance within badminton’s technical officiating pathways, aspiring to one day become a referee or assessor.

Ramasamy all focus during a rally.

For Ramasamy, the Finals represented a continuation of his lifelong connection to badminton. Retiring as a Para player in 2018, the Indian coach has remained deeply involved in the sport, training athletes through the Sports Authority of India. His first foray into international line judging was an eye-opening experience, underscoring the significant responsibility the role entails.

“Line judging is not an easy job. It’s about making decisions that impact a player’s match. You must stay focused and dedicated,” Ramasamy remarked.

Ramasamy’s passion for badminton shone through as he embraced the opportunity to learn from the tournament. Officiating matches featuring players such as Akane Yamaguchi and An Se Young, he absorbed valuable technical insights to bring back to his trainees.

“It’s a dream for every Para athlete to become an official and gain in-depth knowledge. Watching these players, I’ve learned so much that I can apply to my coaching,” he said.

Ramasamy credited BWF for providing pathways for former Para athletes to stay involved in the sport, urging others to take similar opportunities.

Both Asiimwe and Ramasamy exemplify the profound connection between playing and officiating. While the Ugandan balances her athletic career with technical ambitions and motherhood, Ramasamy channels his experiences into coaching and mentoring. Their contributions at the World Tour Finals demonstrate how Para athletes can continue to enrich the badminton community in new and inspiring ways.