By John Barnes Ssentamu.
Uganda’s formidable trio of Judith Mirembe, Jemimah Nakawala and Parvin Judith Nangonzi continued splendid displays in the team event at the International Table Tennis Federation Africa Senior Championships after dispatching Cameroon 3-1 to top the group at the Salle Multidisciplinary Rades in Tunisia.
The Ugandan girls that had after edging Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa sealed a quart final slot and a place at the centennial celebrations of table tennis at the London 2026 world Table Tennis Championship were in ruthless form enroute the quarters in which they face the fancied hosts Tunisia in a 6pm (EAT) game that is highly anticipated.
“The way things have panned out at this tournament,anyone can write off the Ugandan girls at their own peril”.
“They have proved to the World that they are resilient and know when to hurt.And with a very experienced Coach (Paul Mutambuze (Oly),can cause a surprise” said a renowned journalist who preferred anonymity
In other women’s team event quarter finals,Egypt plays South Africa, Madagascar faces Algeria with Ghana and Nigeria in a West Africa derby.
By virtue of being at this stage,all these teams have already earned their places at the London 2026 World Team Table Tennis Championship.
But whereas the Ugandan girls are shining,the boys are officially out of contention for London 2026 after a second group stage 3-0 loss to Democratic Republic of Congo.
But the boys team of Jonathan Ssenyonga, David Odoi and Joshua Magaya has a chance to redeem some pride when they face hosts Tunisia in the final group game at 1pm EAT.
This International Table Tennis Federation Africa Championship in Tunisia that ends this weekend isn’t only about team events, but also has action in singles, mixed doubles and in the doubles in which Ugandans Parvin Judith Nangonzi and Jemimah Nakawala won the nation’s first ever Bronze medal in a while.
