Uganda’s Under-15 girls’ table tennis team delivered a thrilling and historic performance to clinch Gold after edging Tunisia in a dramatic final at the 2025 ITTF African Youth Championships, held at the Sir Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall in Lagos, Nigeria. The contest began with Patience Anyango falling 3-0 (13-11, 11-9, 11-7) to Saidi Ella, putting Tunisia in the lead. However, Jemimah Nakawala responded with resilience in the second set, overcoming Brahimi Mariam in a tightly contested match.
Nakawala claimed the final game 11-6, sealing a 3-2 win in a 27-minute, 33-second set that leveled the tie at 1-1. In the third set, Patra Nasirumbi was defeated 3-1 by Brahimi Nour, restoring Tunisia’s lead. But Nakawala returned to the table for a second time, once again facing Saidi Ella. After trading games — winning the first 11-8, losing the next two 11-7, and battling back 11-9 — Nakawala sealed the decider with an authoritative 11-7 to tie the overall score 2-2.
The championship then came down to a final, decisive set — a rematch between Patience Anyango and Brahimi Mariam, who had previously defeated Anyango in the group stage. This time, Anyango was composed and clinical: she won the first game 11-7, dropped the second 11-6, and took the third 11-9. Though Mariam dominated the fourth 11-5, Anyango showed nerves of steel to claim the final game 11-9, handing Uganda a 3-2 overall victory and triggering jubilant celebrations back home.
This marks Uganda’s third gold medal of the championship, adding to the individual titles secured by ‘Sir’ Joseph Sebatindira and ‘HM’ Patience Anyango during the Africa Hopes Week and Challenge. The win also secures the team a slot at the World Youth Championships to be held later this year in Romania.
Legendary Semifinal Comeback Before the final, Uganda delivered a performance for the ages in the semifinals, rallying from 2-0 down to defeat unbeaten Algeria 3-2. Anyango and Nakawala lost the opening sets to Morice Tania and Morice Jade respectively, putting Uganda on the brink of elimination.
But Patra Nasirumbi sparked the turnaround with a 3-2 win over Tazerouti Amani. Nakawala followed with a dominant 3-0 sweep of Morice Tania, setting the stage for a winner-takes-all final set. Anyango stepped up, delivering a masterful 3-2 victory over Morice Jade to seal a stunning Ugandan comeback.
Singles Action Begins Wednesday With the team events concluded, attention now turns to the Under-15 singles, which begin on Wednesday, July 30th, 2025. Joseph Sebatindira opens his campaign in Group 1 against Cameroonian Ndzelen Maxwell, along with Scholtz Ruan (South Africa) and Joseph Victor (Nigeria).
Ibrahim Mutesasira features in Group 5, facing Hussein Adeoye (Nigeria), Makoni Shallom (Zimbabwe), and Essid Amir (Tunisia). Shariff Nsereko competes in Group 8 against Agbetoglo Tony (Togo), Ndzelen Maxsmith (Cameroon), and Abdourahaman Ganiou (Benin).
On the girls’ side: Patience Anyango will battle in Group 4, facing Zide Iminam (South Africa), Thabet Farida (Egypt), and Namupolo Justina (Namibia). Patra Nasirumbi features in Group 5 with Morice Tania (Algeria), Ranarison Fiderana (Madagascar), and Aruna Mariam (Nigeria).
Jemimah Nakawala is placed in Group 6, set to take on Nousoukoppe Marcelle (Togo), Farmer Cadence (Namibia), and Rakotondrazaka Rina (Madagascar). The team is under the leadership of coaches Alvin Katumba and Tendo Balyewunya.
Also part of the Ugandan delegation is Parvin Nangonzi, competing in the Under-19 category. Uganda will later compete in the doubles and mixed doubles events before concluding its participation at the 2025 Africa Youth Championship.
