Home Others Table Tennis Nakawala, Nangonzi attain Table Tennis Bronze in Riyadh

Nakawala, Nangonzi attain Table Tennis Bronze in Riyadh

by Jeremiah Mugalu
1 minutes read

Uganda’s Jemimah Nakawala and Judith Parvin Nangonzi managed to secure bronze in the women’s doubles at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Both students at Kibuli Secondary School, they are the first Ugandan table tennis team to claim a medal at the Games. 

Their run ended with a 1–3 semi-final loss to Iran’s Shima Safaei and Neda Shahsavari at Boulevard SEF Arena. 

Nakawala and Nangonzi started strongly, winning the opening set 11–9, but the Iranians captured the next three games 11–3, 11–2, and 11–8.

Their bronze came after a thrilling 3–2 quarterfinal victory over Azerbaijan’s Marziyya Nurmatoa and Alylin Asgarova, with scores of 12–10, 3–11, 11–8, 11–9, 11–8.

Head coach Alvin Katumba lauded their effort:

“The players have worked incredibly hard. This is just the beginning, we’ll keep building their momentum and confidence for future competitions.”

Elsewhere, Joseph Francis Sebatindira and Joshua Magaya exited the men’s doubles after a 1–3 loss to Guyana’s Bryan Anthony Nigel and Ronaldo Britton Shemar. 

Nakawala also bowed out of the women’s singles in the quarterfinals, losing 1–4 to Egypt’s Yousra Ashraf Abdelrazek.

By Wednesday evening, Uganda’s medal tally at the Games reached six, four from swimming, one from boxing, and one from table tennis. 

Olympian Anna Gloria Muzito led the swimming haul with two golds and a bronze, while Jesse Ssuubi Ssengonzi added a bronze. 

Boxer Alfred Ojok and the historic table tennis pair completed Uganda’s strong showing in Riyadh.

You may also like

Leave a Comment