Uganda staggers in table tennis
Jul 29, 2014
Kevin Mafabi put up a spirited fight against New Zealand’s Philip Xiao in the men’s single table tennis championships, though losing 4-2 in the Commonwealth Games action at Scotstoun Sports centre in Glasgow Tuesday evening.
By Norman Katende
Commonwealth Table tennis results
Women singles
Ho Tin-Tin (ENG) bt Amina Lukaaya (UGA) 4-0
Ludia Natunga (UGA) bt Rosanna Abel (VAN) 4-2
Amina Lukaaya (UGA) bt Shareef Aminath (MDV) 4-2
Ishara Madurangi (SRI) bt Ludia Natunga (UGA) 4-0
Men Singles
Philip Xiiao (NZL) bt Kevin Mafabi (UGA) 4-2
Pierre Theriaul (CAN) bt Gilton Chelibe (UGA) 4-0
Kevin Mafabi (UGA) bt Noel Kasanda (ZAM) 4-0
Mansah Chowdhury (BAN) bt Paul Mutambuze (UGA) 4-0
Gilton Chelibe (UGA) bt Alan Lin (VAN) 4-0
GLASGOW - Kevin Mafabi put up a spirited fight against New Zealand’s Philip Xiao in the men’s single table tennis championships, though losing 4-2 in the Commonwealth Games action at Scotstoun Sports centre in Glasgow Tuesday evening.
It was a good game for Uganda’s top seed, which did not go down easily to Xiao of Asian origin- the continent famous for dominating table tennis.
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Uganda's Gilton Chelibe serves the ball to Canada's Pierre-Luc Theriault (unseen) during their qualification table tennis match. Photo/AFP
To show how prepared he was, , Mafabi did not rest, taking the first set 11-9 before he somehow crumbled to the next two sets 11-5, 11-7.
All his supporters, including Uganda Olympic Committee President William Blick and Chef de Mission Ambrose Tashobya, among other table tennis players, boosted his morale and it looked to be paying back after he overcame a three point deficit to twice deuce before levelling the score 2-2 after winning 15-13.
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Mutambuze tosses the ball for service during his match against Mansah Chowdhury
However, he could not control the excitement as he lost the next two sets 11-6, 11-5 as Xiao forced him to change his style of play.
Though both parties had little challenge in Noel Kasanda of Zambia, Xiao managed to advance from Group 8 as the top player.
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Uganda's Amina Lukaaya serves the ball to Maldives' Aminath Shareef (unseen) during their qualification table tennis match. Photo/AFP
Gilton Chelibe also beat Vanuatu’s Alan Lin in straight sets But failed to dent Canada’s Luc-Pierre Theriaul to top Group 2, while Paul Mutambuze lost to Bangladesh’s Mansah Chowdhury in straight sets.
The women event also had mixed fortunes with Amina Lukaaya and Ludiya Natunga both winning one and losing one.
All Ugandans finished second in their group that had only one winner advancing to the next round in the singles.