Uganda’s table tennis community is celebrating a monumental achievement after its national team secured an impressive 13 medals at three championships held in Lagos, Nigeria. The Uganda Table Tennis Association (UTTA) recognized the young athletes and their coaches at a special ceremony, highlighting their historic performance on the international stage.
The celebration, held at Cooper Chimney in Lugogo, honored a team of seven promising players and their two coaches for their outstanding success. The young team’s victories came from their participation in the Africa Hopes Week & Challenge, the ITTF African Youth Championships, and the ITTF African Youth Cup.
Young Athletes Urged to Prioritize Education
During the ceremony, Ambrose Tashobya, the Chairman of the National Council of Sports, praised the team’s accomplishments but also delivered a crucial message. He emphasized the importance of education for the young players, many of whom are still in primary school.
“We are in a time when athletes should be ambassadors of various institutions and themes,” Tashobya said. “But because many athletes do not take education seriously, these institutions have lost their place, and the opportunity goes elsewhere.” His words underscored the need for athletes to balance their sporting careers with academic pursuits to ensure long-term success and opportunities beyond the sport.
Call for Greater Support and Sponsorships
Tashobya also called on the Uganda Table Tennis Federation, led by President Cyrus Muwanga, to make sacrifices to support the players and enhance the sport’s brand. He encouraged the federation to actively seek sponsorships and alliances to help promote table tennis in Uganda.
“You should also develop the brand of table tennis so that you can form alliances that will help in the promotion via sponsorships. There, our athletes will be gaining,” he stated, highlighting the National Council of Sports’ readiness to provide support.
Medal Winners and Top Performers
The Ugandan team showcased exceptional talent across the three championships. The medal haul included notable victories from Joseph Francis and Anyango Patience, who both became African Champions.
Here is a summary of the team’s key achievements:
- Joseph Francis: Gold (African Champion, ITTF African Youth Championships) & Gold (U15 Boys’ Singles, ITTF African Youth Cup)
- Anyango Patience: Gold (African Champion, ITTF African Youth Championships)
- Jemimah Nakawala: Silver (U19 Girl’s Doubles, ITTF African Youth Championships) & Silver (U15 Girls’ Singles, ITTF African Youth Cup)
- Judith Parvin Nangonzi: Silver (U19 Girls’ Doubles, ITTF African Youth Championships)
- Sharif Nsereko: Bronze (U15 Boys’ Singles, ITTF African Youth Championships) & Silver (U15 Boys’ Singles, ITTF African Youth Cup)
The team’s success in Nigeria signals a promising future for Ugandan table tennis and its young players.
