The 2023 Africa Para-Badminton Championship which attracted eleven countries from Africa has entered day two of action at Lugogo Indoor Arena.
This year’s edition which started on 10th July has countries like; hosts Uganda, Benin, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Zambia, Mozambique, Senegal, and Togo among other countries.
Uganda came in this year’s tournament with positive targets after winning 8 bronze medals and one silver medal courtesy of Harriet Nakayima from the concluded Uganda International para-badminton.
As the host country, Uganda fielded a team of over 40 players in Africa almost the same number of players that participated in this year’s edition.
Ronald Lule the Head Coach for team Uganda says players are in good shape with most of them still being in group stage.
”Am optimistic that we will be able to leave the knockout stages and go into the medal brackets.”
Nakayima started on her journey of winning these championships with three games so far played and has managed to win twice.
These include a game she needed to simply stay calm and secure a win against Ivory Coast’s Gbenon Jaelle Djedje 21-6, 21-10.
“Am hoping that I will be in a position to collect more points that will enable me to qualify for the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, France,” Nakayima told Nnalubaale Sports.
Other Ugandans who won their games include; Rebecca Kasinre who defeated Zambia’s Abigail Mukuka in the WH2 category by 18-21, 21-16, and 21-16.
Sumini Mutesi won her game against Vienna Hamuchenje from Zambia 21-6, 21-3 while Flavia Basuuts defeated Chipego Siadindi from Zambia 21-11, 21-1.
Still, on the winning strike, Elizabeth Mwesigwa beat Matha Chewe from Zambia 21-7, 21-8 and Brian Mugabe won his game against Zambia’s Innocent Chabala 21-17,21-12.
The Africa Para-Badminton Championship will end on the 16th of this month and players are using these events to collect points that will take them to the 2024 Olympics.
