By John Barnes Ssentamu
Uganda’s participation in the International Table Tennis Federation Africa Championship in Tunisia is turning out to be one of the best ever outings. This follows immaculate displays by the Ugandan girls ‘triplet’ of Jemimah Nakawala, Parvin Judith Nangonzi and Judith Mirembe.
Fresh from winning Uganda it’s first ever Women doubles medal (bronze) in a long while,the duo of Jemimah and Parvin was in mesmerizing form in the team event on which a lot hinged.
They led from the front in remarkable team event victories; first over DR Congo and then South Africa,with new kid on the block Judith Mirembe (who remains unbeaten in the team event) providing the icing, with fancy table tennis that earned Uganda a place at next year’s celebration of 100 years of tennis at the London 2026 World Table Tennis team championship.
“This is a momentous for Uganda.Now that they have qualified for the quarter finals, hopefully,with a good play,they can even go for a medal” said Coach Paul Mutambuze (Oly)
Against Democratic Republic of Congo Uganda won 3-0 with Parvin Nangonzi winning the first game against Litobaka Ammadine 3-2, Jemimah Nakawala outclassed Julie Kayembe 3-0 in the second as did Judith Mirembe over Kindandi Nzangani in the third.Later in the day, the girls obliterated the fancied South Africans 3-1 to book a quarter final slot (that guaranteed a placed in London) with a game against Cameroon to spare.
Uganda table tennis association President Cyrus Muwanga was over moon.
“We as Uganda Table Tennis Association are extremely delighted by the fact that the lady’s team has qualified for the London Games” he said.
“This continues to show that they are progressing and continuing to play at the highest level” he added.
But while the girls decimated their opponents,the story was far different for the boys that fell to Madagascar in the opening team event.
The girls return today in their final group game against Cameroon (7pm EAT) at the Salle Multidisciplinaire Rades while the boys face Democratic Republic of Congo (1pm) and Tunisia tomorrow for redemption with a quarter final slot (that guarantees a top eight finish),still in sight.
The boys team has Jonathan Ssenyonga,David Odoi and Joshua Magaya.
The top eight teams in the team events earn a slot to the London 2026 World Table Tennis Team Championship.
