Uganda’s national badminton team has been on a whirlwind journey for almost three months in 2024, achieving national firsts and gaining valuable experience on the world stage.
Dominating the African Games:
A team of four men and four women left Uganda in February after playing the Uganda international and went for Africa games that were held in Accra, Ghana.
Gladys Mbabazi, Tracy Nuluwooza, Shamika Fadilah and Husina Kobugabe made up the ladies team alongside the men’s team that was lead by Amos Muyanja, Agustus Owiny, Emmudu Expendito and Muzafaru Lubega.
The team’s success began at the African Games in Accra, Ghana, where Uganda secured its first-ever badminton gold medal. The women’s doubles team, comprised of Husina Kobugabe and Gladys Mbabazi, clinched the historic victory.
Kobugabe further added a silver medal in singles, while Shamika Fadilah secured a bronze. These contributions significantly boosted Uganda’s overall medal count of 20 at the Games.
Gaining Olympic Qualification Points:
Following their African Games triumph, the the men’s team returned home while the women’s team embarked on a European tour, participating in tournaments like the Orleans Masters in France (12th – 17th March).
The team then participated in further qualification events in Madrid, Switzerland, and Slovakia but fell short of securing Olympic berths.
Historic Debut at the Thomas & Uber Cup:
Uganda’s badminton journey reached new heights with their participation in the prestigious Thomas & Uber Cup held in Chengdu, China from 27 April to 5 May 2024.
South Africa’s withdrawal from the Uber Cup presented a golden opportunity for Uganda to compete in this global tournament for the first time. South Africa are the reigning Africa Women champions with Uganda as the runners up.
Placed in Group C alongside powerhouses like Japan, Indonesia, and Hong Kong China, the Ugandan women, though facing a steep learning curve, showcased remarkable improvement throughout the Uber Cup.
Each subsequent match saw Uganda narrow the point gap against their more seasoned opponents.
The Uber Cup Race
Uganda’s opening match was against Japan. Despite a valiant effort, Uganda fell short, losing 5-0. The score reflected the gulf in experience between the two teams, with Japan collecting 210 points compared to Uganda’s 43 points.
However, Husina Kobugabe’s commendable performance against Nozami Okuhara (21-8, 21-5) became a bright spot for Uganda.
Uganda’s second match against Indonesia, another strong team, also ended in a 5-0 defeat. However, the team showed signs of improvement, collecting 86 points compared to the 43 points they managed in their first match.
This progress was evident in individual performances as well. Unlike the opening match, where Shamika Fadilah lost 21-7, 21-1 to Aya Ohori, all Ugandan players registered more than 1 point in the second tie.
Uganda’s Uber Cup journey concluded with a 5-0 defeat against Hong Kong China. Similar to their previous matches, Uganda collected 81 points, while Hong Kong China dominated with 210 points, mirroring the total points Uganda earned throughout the competition which was won by hosts China.
Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead
Despite not advancing from the group stage, the Ugandan team returned home brimming with valuable experience and a newfound determination to excel.
“We enjoyed the championships because everyone was supporting us and we are going to miss that vibe and love the Chinese showed us,” they said.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Badminton Association, Simon Mugabi, echoed this sentiment in an interview with Nnalubaale Sports, highlighting the advantage gained by facing world-class players.
“Playing the most seeded players in the world has an advantage to Uganda’s players and i know come next world event they will be confident enough,” Mugabi stated.
The team is now focused on honing their skills and strategies for future international events.
Courtesy Photos
