By John Barnes Ssentamu
Uganda’s Women doubles pair of Jemimah Nakawala and Parvin Judith Nangonzi has settled for the bronze in what is a historic first ever for Uganda in a long while.
The pair that had a series of games on Tuesday needed nerves of steel in the quarter finals before ejecting South Africans Sonday Rochica and Patel Danisha by three-sets-to-two.
They however fell short in the semifinals against the Egyptian pair of the Alhodaby’s;Mariam and Marwa who won by four-sets-love.
But despite the defeat, the girls can smile because by reaching the semis as per rules of engagement, they are assured of a bronze medal, which is the first for Uganda in a long while.
With the team that includes Jonathan Ssenyonga, Judith Mirembe, David Odoi and Joshua Magaya not in contention today, a worthy rest day ahead of Thursday’s eagerly anticipated team events is welcome.
“The past few days have been hectic for the players that have truly fought hard even in defeat” team head Coach Paul Mutambuze (OLY) said.
“We hope to use the rest day well to prepare for what is the most important hurdle at this championship when the team events start tomorrow” he added.
In the team events that are a qualifier to the London 2026 ITTF World team Championship,the Ugandan girls are in group four.
On Thursday, they will start against Democratic Republic of Congo (1.30pm EAT) before facing South Africa (9.30pm) while the boys have only Madagascar (5.30pm) to play on the opening day in a group complete by Tunisia and Democratic Republic of Congo.
For the team events, Uganda has its work cut-out with knowledge that the top eight teams earn a slot to London 2026 and thus progressing out of the group is the first parameter to achieve that historic feat for the Pearl of Africa.
The team is Coached by Olympian Paul Mutambuze while Uganda’s contingent at the championship is completed by Uganda Table Tennis Association President Cyrus Muwanga who is in Tunisia for the Africa Table Tennis Association Annual General Meeting.
TUESDAY SELECTED RESULTS FOR UGANDANS
Men’s Singles Round of 32
Jonathan Ssenyonga 0
Rakotoarimanana Fabio (Madagascar) 4
Women’s Singles Round of 32
Jemimah Nakawala 0
Alhodaby Marwa (Egypt) 4
Women Singles Round of 32
Parvin Judith Nangonzi 4
Sousa Kailane (Angola) 1
Women’s Doubles Quarter final
Sonday Rochica and Patel Danisha (South Africa) 2
Jemimah Nakawala and Parvin Judith Nangonzi 3
Women’s Singles Round of 16
Parvin Judith Nangonzi 0
Alhodaby Mariam (Egypt) 4
Women’s Doubles Semifinals
Jemimah Nakawala and Parvin Judith Nangonzi 1
Alhodaby Marwa and Alhodaby Mariam 3
