Uganda’s young table tennis players are making their mark at the ITTF Africa Youth Championship in Lagos, with strong performances in both the Under-19 and Under-15 categories.
In the Under-19 girls’ singles, Judith Parvin Nangonzi started with a win over South Africa’s Heralal Bhavna, stumbled against Nigeria’s Ayoola Kabirat, but bounced back to beat Benin’s Mayaki Emmanuela 3-0 and book a spot in the round of 16. She faces Nigeria’s Ojo Favour next.
Uganda’s Under-15 mixed doubles teams also impressed. Jemimah Nakawala and Joseph Sebatindira beat Nigeria’s Joseph Marvelous and Aruna Mariam 3-0, while Shariff Nsereko and Patience Anyango eased past Benin’s Kossouho Fenou and Amadji Christelle, also 3-0. However, Ibrahim Mutesasira and Patra Nasirumbi lost 1-3 to Tunisia’s Mechergui Bara and Brahimi Nour.
More doubles matches continue on Friday. Mutesasira, now teaming up with South Africa’s Bester Rupert, faces Angola’s Chicalu Moises and Ghayouri Kamrouz in the Under-15 boys’ doubles. Nsereko and Sebatindira, who got a bye, take on Nigeria’s Joseph Victor and Mustafa Musa.
In mixed doubles, Sebatindira and Nakawala face Benin’s Abdourahaman Ganiou and Amadji Christelle, while Nsereko and Anyango meet Tunisia’s Amori Amine and Brahimi Mariam for a quarterfinal slot.
Anyango and Nasirumbi will also feature in the girls’ doubles against Nigeria’s Aruna Mariam and Idris Asiata.
In Under-19 girls’ doubles, Nakawala and Nangonzi are through to the quarterfinals via a bye. Nangonzi is also competing in mixed doubles with Zimbabwe’s Trust Madoro; they’ll take on Nigeria’s Agunbiade Sultan and Okafor Chinenye in the round of 32.
