Despite facing challenges in singles matches, Uganda secured four medals, including a silver in women’s badminton doubles and three bronze medals in mixed doubles at this year’s Kampala International Future Series (KIFS).
The student duo of Tracy Naluwooza and Fadilah Shamika Rafi clinched the silver medal in women’s doubles, when they lost 21-5, 21-11 to Gayatri Rawat and Mansa Rawat (India) in the lop-sided women’s doubles final.
Held from September 27-29, 2024, at the Lugogo Indoor Arena, the badminton tournament saw Ugandan athletes clinch three bronze medals in mixed doubles, one by Augustus Owinyi and Hirani Harishni, another by Alyaan Mawani and Harshita Singh, and another by Kenneth Comfort Mwambu and Abdul-Swabur Ssempiri.
Last year Ugandans performed far better with Brian Kasirye scooping gold in men’s singles, and his then partner Muzafar Lubega also winning gold in the men’s doubles, while Husina Kobugabe and Gladys Mbabazi won bronze in women’s doubles.
Also from the 2023 edition of KIFS, in mixed doubles, Ismail Mungufeni partnered with Assumpta Owomugisha to win bronze, bringing the total haul to 5 medals, including two golds.
Despite the drop in performance, Uganda maintained second position in the medal bracket, like they performed in 2023 at the same tournament.
Silver medalist Tracy Naluwooza expressed satisfaction with her win. “Balancing training with my studies has been tough,” she admitted. “However, given the circumstances, securing second place is a significant achievement.”
Looking ahead, Naluwooza and Fadilah Shamika Rafi are set to compete in the upcoming Uganda International Series, which will take place for 4 days – shuttling off on Thursday 3rd October going on up to Sunday 6th October 2024.
Uganda International Series is a bigger event holding 2500 points compered to KIFS’ 1700 points in the qualification for the upcoming 2028 Olympics in Log Angeles.
Courtesy Photos
