NCS pledges support for Table Tennis team ahead of World Championships

The National Council of Sports (NCS) chairman, Ambrose Tashobya, has commended the Uganda Table Tennis Association (UTTA) for revitalising the schools' table tennis program and has pledged full government funding for the national team ahead of the forthcoming World Championships.

Uganda's women's team secured their place at the World Championships, scheduled for April in England, after finishing second at the Africa Senior Championships in Tunisia last year.

Tashobya made the remarks while officiating as chief guest at the revived Kateregga Memorial Schools Tournament, which returned after a 10-year hiatus. The three-day event was held at Lugogo Indoor Arena and concluded on Sunday.

"We are keenly following table tennis in the country, and the young players have done us proud. I will endeavor to ensure that the government commits the funds for the team to compete at the World Championships," Tashobya assured the table tennis fraternity as he joined officials in awarding the winners.

UTTA president Cyrus Kateregga hailed the revival of the Kateregga Memorial as a major success and called on traditional powerhouse schools to return to competitive action. He specifically thanked Namiryango for honouring the event and urged former giants such as Nabisunsa, Kisubi, Gayaza, Namagunga, and Nabbingo to rejoin school competitions. He encouraged them to compete alongside emerging institutions like Seroma Christian High School, Mbogo, Kibuli, Nakasero, Royale Mbale, and Mbale Municipal, which are actively promoting the sport.

"With 48 schools taking part, the tournament has opened people's eyes to the return of table tennis in the country. UTTA has added a university category to strengthen the game because many students tend to lose focus after secondary education," said UTTA official Muwanga at the climax of the event.

The tournament is held in memory of the late Francis Kateregga, a former national representative at the 1995 African Games.

"The immediate program is preparing the team for the World Championships as we continue to bankroll the regional development program, mainly through schools," Muwanga added.

He called for increased corporate support and extended appreciation to sponsors including Legacy, Ice Springs, School Pay, and the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) for backing this year's event.

Participants competed in both individual and team events across primary, secondary, and university categories.

In the primary girls' category, continental U-11 champion Patience Anyango of Nakasero Primary School won the individual title and was voted Most Valuable Player (MVP). In the boys' division, Rahim Masolo of Mbogo Junior clinched the title and also earned MVP honours.

At secondary level, Parvin Nangonzi of Kibuli Secondary School emerged champion and MVP in the girls' division, while Samuel Ankunda from the same school won the boys' title and was also named MVP.

At university level, Shanita Namara of ISBAT University won the women's title, while Angela Amaniyo of Uganda Christian University was voted MVP.

UTTA officials confirmed that the tournament will return next year at the same time as part of efforts to sustain the revival of schools' table tennis in Uganda.