Minister Pledges Support to Badminton as Uganda International Challenge Climaxes

The 2023 Edition of the biggest badminton tournament on UBA’s calendar that started on Wednesday has climaxed on Sunday 26th February at Lugogo Indoor Arena.

The closing ceremony was graced by State Minister for Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang who was flanked by the National Council of Sports Board Chairman, Mr. Ambrose Tashobya and NCS general secretary Dr Patrick Bernard Ogwel.

Minister thanked Uganda Badminton Association for a proper organisation of the event. He pledged more support to the sport tht has potential to bring over 40 countries in the nation, which he termed as foreign exchange Uganda gained.

“The tournament that brings together 49 countries into Uganda for Badminton is one fact which am very impressed, and like you have seen the organization has been very good, in terms of sports tourism and exposure for our own children who are playing badminton is one I want to commend then. And let’s be realistic, the money has come in our country, I am told that there were 300 international guests here, even if they have spent one dollar each which is impossible times 300, which is good money, this means that if we invest in infrastructure, we shall have many international tournaments and get more money and it’s what we are pushing.” Said the minister.

Team Uganda didn’t perform well, the best player for Uganda bowed at at round of 32, who was Husina Kobugabe.

So after watching the final of men’s singles which was won by Malaysia’s International, Justin Hoh, Minister asserted that the nation needs to add on the capacity of the coaches and even the facilities where players can train from, he said that he is going to have a meeting with the Association and see how the government can help the sport in that area.

“Our children performed extremely well in south Africa, this has been an high end tournament for them but they have learnt a lot, again we have to invest in training, invest in coaches, I saw the performance of the elite particularly the last two, there was one from Malaysia, he was very combative in terms of easy reaction towards the game, those are the things our coaches should look at but again I want to meet the leadership of the association and discuss some of these areas.” Says minister.

The Malaysians took the day by winning gold medals both in women and men singles.

Women doubles were won by Indians internationals, men doubles went to Thailand while mixed doubles were for Singapore.

Men Singles Gold medalist– Justin Hoh (Malaysia)

Women singles gold medalist- Karupathevan Letshanaa (Malaysia)

Men doubles (gold medal)- Pongsakorn Thongkham and Wongsathorn Thongkhar (Thailand)

Women Doubles (gold medal)- Trisha Hegde and Khushi Thakkar (India)

Mixed doubles (gold medal)- Jun Liang Andy Kwek and Wong Jia Ying Crystal (Singapore)

Then after the Uganda International Challenge, up next is the Juniors Championship and they are starting on Monday 27th February 2023 at Lugogo Indoor Arena.