Uganda Para Badminton International Shuttles Off, 25 Countries are in this Edition
The Uganda Para Badminton International Championship for the year 2023 has officially commenced on Tuesday, 4, July 2023 at Lugogo Indoor Arena- Kampala.
Though the turn up has been low compared to that of last year, 25 countries from different continents are taking part in this championship that is climaxing on 9th this month before the Africa championship starts.
According to the events Manager as well as the CEO of Uganda Badminton Association, Mr. Mugabi Simon, this championship is very important to athletes because it’s a points collecting event and the points will be helping them as they are pursuing for slots in the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris France.
“Uganda Para Badminton International has started today here at Lugogo and it will climax on Sunday 9th.” CEO Mugabi Simon confirmed.
“This year we got entries from 25 nations but of course from all over the World. The tournament is a point collecting tournament for Olympic games in France next year and our target as Uganda, we are targeting to present more players in Olympics because last time we were represented by only one athlete.” Says Mugabi.
Mugabi says Uganda has forty-four entries in the championship that will participate in different categories.
Players like Hassan Mubiru, Elizabeth Mwesigwa, Rose Nansereko, Ali Mukasa, Sumin Mutesi, and Asiimwe are some of those Uganda is banking on to perform well in this tournament due to their rankings on the continent.
The other countries that are represented in this tournament, includes; Cameroon, India, Brazil.
Henry Lule, a coach of the Uganda Para badminton team says they are expecting to perform far better compared to previous tournaments with gold and silver since their training has been intense.
“We have had enough training and according to how we performed in the opening games today, I am optimistic that we can get gold medals and silvers, unless otherwise.”
Sarah Naziwa from Team Uganda says she is aiming for a gold medal in this competition after preparing and training for the past two months.
Naziwa says they are aiming at collecting enough points for the Paralympics games in France next year.