Sebatindira dominates City Tyre Jinja Open with triple triumph

The sixth edition of the City Tyre Jinja Open Table Tennis Championship turned into a showcase of rising talent as junior sensation Joseph Sebatindira claimed three titles over the weekend.

The annual event, staged at St. Andrews Church Hall from Saturday to Sunday, drew more than 300 players from Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda.

Fresh from international exposure at the ITTF World Hope Championship in Sheffield, where he won the U13 category in October, the WTT Youth Contender in Dubai, and the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh earlier this month, Sebatindira delivered a commanding performance throughout the tournament.

He defended his Boys U13 crown with a 3–0 victory over Ali Kalisa, then swept Joshua Magaya 3–0 to clinch the Boys U19 title. The P5 pupil at Nakasero Primary School, where he also represents the school team, went on to stun seniors by defeating Magaya again, this time 3–1, to capture the Men’s Singles crown.

“Sebatindira was too smart on the table during the tournament. We hope to see him excel at the forthcoming African Youth Games in Angola next month,” said national coach Paul Mutambuze.

In the women’s category, another rising star, Jemimah Nakawala, successfully defended her Women’s Singles title with a 3–1 win over Patra Nansirumbi. Nakawala also recently featured at the Islamic Games in Saudi Arabia.

The championship proved highly competitive, with three-time defending champion Sam Ankunda bowing out in the round of 32.

City Tyres representative Rashid Omar applauded the organizers and participants for nurturing young talent. “City Tyres has consistently supported sports. We are involved in football, badminton, basketball, and table tennis. We are proud that athletes from these sports have risen to global levels from humble beginnings,” he said.

Daniel Sekyanzi, president of the Jinja Table Tennis Association, thanked the foreign participants for enriching the event and pledged an even bigger championship next year.