Badminton: Uganda Brags with Medals as International Para Tourney Climaxes
The international Uganda Para Badminton tournament climaxed on Sunday 18, September with team Uganda walking away with two medals.
The two medals Uganda got in this championship came from Elizabeth Mwesigwa and Sarah who both won silver medals at individual level.
According to the Association chairperson, Annet Nakamya, this is the first team Uganda has performed better in the International Para games and they hope, more performance will be displayed in the forthcoming Africa Para Championship.
“This tournament has been a success to me, it has been the first time our players reached finals, we have had a number of medals coming through, and I am predicting that in Africa championship we are going to see even gold medals.
In terms of preparations and organizing events we are gaining experience and challenging other Africa countries that they can also host such tournaments.” Says Annet Nakamya, Uganda Badminton Association chairperson.
In this tournament, that commenced on 13th and climaxed on Sunday 18th September at Lugogo indoor Arena, Uganda fielded 58 players and it was the side with most participants out the 17 nations that took part in the tournament.
Sarah Nazziwa, the silver medalist, had this to comment about her performance in her debut tournament.
“This medal means a lot to me, its my debut tournament but I have managed to win this medal, it came through hard work because we have been training for two months. I saw this medal coming while at quarter finals. I didn’t get a goal medal because this tournament had professionals but I believe in that of Africa I will get the gold medal.” Said Sarah Nazziwa, the silver medalist.
Mwesigwa Elizabeth, the senior in Uganda Para Badminton expressed her happiness after winning a silver medal more over after beating an Indian.
“I am glad that this time I won a sliver medal, this is my first time since I started playing badminton to beat an Indian and reach the final. The training have been doing has helped me because I was filling comfortable and I believe in Africa champion I am going to perform even more better because I have tested them in Uganda international. ”
The All Africa Para Badminton commences today, Monday at the same venue, Lugogo indoor Arena and 14 nations to take part in this according to UBA CEO, Simon Mugabi.
The two championship are preparing players for Paris Paralympics 2024 and world championship.