Uganda Para Badminton Int’l Championship Commences, Local Athletes Reveal Challenges

By: kayiirajackson@gmail.com 

The seventh edition of the Uganda Para Badminton International Championship has officially shuttled of on Tuesday at Lugogo Indoor Arena. 

The championship that is acting as a precassor tournament for those who have qualified for Paris 2024 Paralympics and a points collecting tournament for those vying for slots in 2028 Las Angeles Paralympics has attracted 14 countries and 192 participants. 

Uganda as the host, has 35 entries and a number of them are aiming at reaching medal bracket but they have also revealed the challenges that may deter them from achieving their set targets. 

“Of course we find challenges and this time it has been transport and food, but besides that in this championship, I expect to play well and  gather points and even to improve on my performance and be a good player of Uganda. ” Says Juliet Namunoga Mary, Standing Lower three (SL3) player for team Uganda. 

In the same line, Ali Kibirango of wheel chair 2 and Elizabeth Mwesigwa of Standing Lower three (SL3) highlighted on the challenges they face as para players and asked more companies to join and support them. 

“This time round as team Uganda, we didn’t have a camp training and even now everyone comes from his or her residence, we were even about to give a walk over this morning, the transport for us the disabled in Uganda is very expensive for instance, Nazziwa Sarah is from Matugga, but a Boda to bring him here (Lugogo) needs 30,000/-, the money we don’t have, so I request the companies out there to come and give us a hand such that we can also compete favorably with those international players.” Ali Kibirango said. 

The championship that is climaxing on Sunday 7th, July 2024 has started with group stage action and knockouts are expected to commence on Thursday. 

The fourteen countries that are participating include; Uganda(hosts), India, Azerbaijan,Benin, Brazil, Cameroon, Israel, Ivory Coast, Nigeria,Zambia,Togo, Colombia, Mexico, Egypt, Botswana and Djibouti.