Table Tennis: Ssebatindira, Anyango dominate Mutaz Jinja Open

Eight-year-old table tennis star Joseph Ssebatindira yet again put up another eye-catching performance as he became the first ever player under 13 years to feature in four finals in the second edition of the two-day Mutaz Jinja Open Table Tennis Tournament that ended on Sunday at Jinja College main hall.

Ssebatindira may have only managed to win the boys’ under 13 category in which he defeated fellow Nakasero A club teammate Sharif Nsereko, but at his age, he dominated all who came into his path apart from top seed Sam Mbabazi in the other three finals.

"It was great to size up against older players in the tournament, something that will very much inspire my game on the international scene. I just need to improve on my game,” said Ssebatindira after losing 3-2 to Mbabazi in the boys’ under-19 singles final and in the men’s team final.

Meanwhile, the ladies’ MVP accolade went to Kibuli’s Patience Anyango who dispatched traditional top dog, Nakasero A’s Patrah Nasirumbi, 3-0 in the under-13 girls’ final.

The two-day tournament unearthed some eye-catching talent like Iganga Table Tennis Club’s Judith Mirembe who reached the girls under 13 semi-finals, as well as teammate Alice Mirab who managed to reach the girls under 13 quarterfinals.

Piyush Kotecha, head of the Indian community in the eastern region, promised to invest more funds into next year's event, in a bid to make the tournament more successful.

Mutaz Sports Centre director, Paul Mutambuze, disclosed that the two-day event attracted over 150 players from various clubs around the country.

Selected results
Girls U-13: Patience Anyango 3-0 Patrah Nasirumbi
Boys U-13: Joseph Ssebatindira 3-1 Sharif Nsereko
Girls U-19: Jemimah Nakawala 3-2 Parvin Nangonzi
Boys U-19: Sam Mbabazi 3-1 Joseph Ssebatindira
Ladies singles: Parvin Nangonzi 3-2 Jemimah Nakawala
Men's singles: Sam Mbabazi 3-1 Ssebatindira
Women's team winners: Kibuli SS
Men’s team winners: Nakasero A
Girls’ MVP: Patience Anyango
Boys’ MVP: Joseph Ssebatindira