Mafabi, Natunga take table tennis honours

Dec 24, 2012

FOTOGENIX Club’s Kevin Mafabi downed veteran player Paul Mutambuze in straight sets to reclaim the Uganda Table Tennis Open championship

 

By Norman Katende

The National Table tennis Open summary

Men results

Singles:

K. Mafabi bt P. Mutambuze 3-0

U-21: G. Chelibe bt E. Omongole 3-2

U17: G. Chelibe bt E. Bazira 3-1

U-13: B. Kamya bt M. Balimunsawo 3-1

Women

Singles

L. Natunga bt A. Namaganda 3-2

U-21: A. Namaganda bt L. Natunga 3-1

U-17: L. Natunga bt F. Seerah 3-1

U-13: H. Nambozo bt R. Nakumitsa 3-1

Team: Fotogenix bt Centrix 3-0

FOTOGENIX Club’s Kevin Mafabi downed veteran player Paul Mutambuze in straight sets to reclaim the Uganda Table Tennis Open championship, as the tournament climaxed at the Lugogo MTN Arena on Sunday.

Mbale Tigers Ludiya Natunga beat fellow club member Amina Namaganda to the women open as the three-day tournament ended.

It was a good climax for Mafabi, who beat Mutambuze in straight sets (11-4, 11-6, 12-10) in the final, and he had Ronald Nyaika, who he beat in the quarterfinals, to thank for the victory.

Unlike most players, Nyaika, after losing 3-2 to Mafabi became the latter’s advisor, tipping him on how to beat Chinese Liu Qian (11-9, 6-11, 11-8, 11-5) in the semi-finals, before he advised him on how to overcome Mutambuze.

“I will just keep on improving,” Mafabi had said after beating Nyaika, in what would have passed for the final.

Mutambuze had beaten upcoming Mbale’s Gilton Chelibe in the quarters and Edward Kiwanuka in the semi-final. Mutambuze was among the forces to reckon in the 1980s.

Natunga, on the other part fought hard, coming from 2-5 down to deuce the last game against Namaganda before winning 13-11 in the decisive game and the final, 3-2.  

true

Natunga was made to work hard for her victory

Though losing the first set 9-11, Natunga had come back to win the next two sets 11-8, 11-9 before Namaganda took the fourth set 11-4, to set up a final clash.

It was here that Natunga walked off victorious. 

Natunga had beaten Amina Lukaaya (3-1) in the semi-final, while Namaganda beat Mercy Nabusano 3-1. Natunga had lost to Namaganda 3-1 in the women U-21 category.

Fotogetnix lifted the team open while Agaba Mulinde lifted the veterans’ titles with Dennis Galabuzi coming second, after he beat Emmanuel Matsyetsye 3-2.

 

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});