Kampala International Future Series: Kasirye, Lubega Win Uganda Gold Medals as Tourney Climax
Uganda’s seed one male category, Kasirye Brian and Muzafaru Lubega impressed on the final day of the Kampala International Future Series, they won three gold medals on Sunday.
Uganda has the hosts, walked away with 13 medals, three gold and 10 bronze medals.
Kasirye Brian won the male singles tight final held on Sunday afternoon at Lugogo Indoor Arena, Kasirye beat United Arab Emirates’ international, Somi Ramdhani two sets to one. To win this, Kasirye came from a set down to leapfrog his counterpart. Uganda’s star lost the first set, 21-14 but he lifted himself in second set winning 21-16, the third set was a tight, he won it 22-20 to lift the male singles gold medal.
In men doubles, Kasirye Brian and Muzafaru Lubega also displayed a great performance beating Israelite, Maxim Grinblat and Matthew Abela from Malta two sets straight (21-15,21-14) to win two gold medals.
Gladys Mbabazi and Husina Kobugabe in women doubles, they settled for bronze medals, Ismail Mungufeni and Assumpta Owomugisha won bronze medals in mixed doubles, also Muzafaru Lubega and Husina Kobugabe both won bronze in mixed doubles.
Expedito Emudu – Augustus Owinyi pair and Kenneth Comfort Mwambu + Abdul Swaburuh pair also won bronze medals in men’s doubles.
Reactions from Kasirye Brian who won two gold medals and the Uganda Badminton Association chairperson Annet Nakamaya.
“Quarter final and semifinal were tough matches, so I was very tired, I didn’t have good recovery, but I thank God, I came here today and put up a good show, I lost my first set but fortunately i was able to win the second and third set, I am so excited I had a big support from my fans, everyone was there watching me play, it’s a good feeling and I thank God for this medal.”
Uganda international is starting next week, it’s gonna be tough but I promise Ugandans that I am going to put up a good show like today, I will play to my best.” Kasirye Brian.
UBA president on how she has summarized the tournament;
“We’re really grateful to players, they have really put up some good performances, we have bronzes in mixed doubles, men’s doubles, we also have golds both in men’s doubles and men’s singles. This is an impressive performances especially at home, it’s very good that we got these medals but most importantly is the points these athletes have accumulated, so it very encouraging.” Annet Nakamaya.
Uganda International Series will commence on Thursday this week am 26 countries are expected to take part in this Olympic qualifying tournament.
Medals list:
Mixed Doubles
Kuswanto + Sreeyuktha Sreejth Parol (UAE) [Gold]
Caden Kakora + Johanita Scholtz (South Africa) [Silver]
Ismail Mungufeni + Assumpta Owomugisha (Uganda) [Bronze]
Muzafaru Lubega + Husina Kobugabe (Uganda) [Bronze]
Women Doubles:
Rutaparna Panda +Swataparn Panda (India) [Gold]
Aleena Qathun +Nayonika Rajesh (UAE) [Silver]
Husina Kobugabe + Gladys Mbabazi (Uganda) [Bronze]
Veronika Brozkocova + Veronika Dobiasova (Czech republic) [Bronze]
Men’s Doubles:
Brian Kasirye + Muzafaru Lubega (Uganda) [Gold]
Mathew Abela + Maxine Grinblat ( Malta/Israel) [Silver]
Expedito Emudu + Augustus Owinyi ( Uganda) [Bronze]
Kenneth Comfort Mwambu + Abdul Swaburuh (Uganda) [Bronze]
Women’s Singles:
Romane Cloteaux Foucalt ( France) [Gold]
Nurani Ratu Azzahra (UAE) [Silver]
Zainaba Reem Siraj (UAE) [Bronze]
Meghana Reddy Mereddy (India) [Bronze]
Men’s Singles:
Brian Kasirye (Uganda) [Gold]
Somi Romdhani (UAE) [Silver]
Caden Kakora (South Africa) [Bronze]
Michael Daniel Royce Karamoy ( Indonesia) [Bronze]