Gasigwa targets Uganda Open glory

By Douglas Mazune

Men top seeds

1. Jean Claude Gasigwa ( RWA )

2. Dilu-donna Habyambere ( RWA )

3. Herbert Buyinza (UG)

4. Matayo Wirizimana ( RWA )

5. Olivier Nkunda ( RWA )

6. David Oringa ( UG )

7. Edward Odongceng (UG)

8. Mubarak Haverimana (RWA)

WITH defending champion Duncan Mugabe out, Rwandan tennis star Jean Claude Gasigwa was chest thumping before even the Castle Lite Uganda Tennis Open got underway at Lugogo on Monday.

Gasigwa, who is the top-seed in the week-long tournament, reckons he will reclaim the title he won in 2008.

“I have to win this one and I will do my best to make it happen. We have many Rwandans who are also here to challenge me. They are high performing players but I will keep an eye on Uganda’s David Oring and Herbert Buyinza who have improved a lot,”

Gasigwa, remarked after a training session at Lugogo on Sunday. Rwanda has fielded ten players, five of whom are seeded.

Gasigwa is the top seed in the absence of Mugabe who is in USA preparing for next month’s London Olympics and Kenyan Allan Cooper who did not make the trip.

The 32-man draw was conducted on Sunday having concluded the qualifying round on Saturday.

The Castle Lite sponsored tournament is organized by Uganda Lawn Tennis Association and managed by Kinetic Management Group.