Wheel Chair Tennis takes off in Uganda

TENNIS

Uganda Tennis Association president Cedric Babu believes the Wheelchair Tennis Development Program will help to tap more talent and popularize the sport.

Babu was speaking to the press today at Uganda Olympic Committee offices after a total of 12 tennis coaches, nine players and seven athletes from Uganda Paralympics Association completed a four-day Wheelchair Tennis Introductory Program handled by ITF instructor Lawrence Karanja.

"It is a great opportunity to see that our brothers and sisters can now also take part in the sport. We plan to organize wheelchair competitions starting next year," stated Babu.

Karanja was equally positive about the program being implemented for the first time in Uganda.

"We look forward to working with the Uganda Tennis Federation to develop the sport further. We want to see so many players engaged in the sport since they will also be equipment from the world body," Karanja noted.

Mutebi Charles who is disabled welcomed the initiative and he cannot wait to get started.

"We have always participated in other sports disciplines but not tennis. Now that it has been added to the agenda am grateful for Uganda Tennis Association because there are many players who always wanted to take part in the sport. I for one can't wait to get started," Mutebi appreciated.

Wheelchair tennis is one the fastest growing sport that is being played in the same way as normal tennis. But a wheelchair tennis player is allowed two bounces of the ball. Men and women compete separately in the open division while players with higher levels of impairment compete in the mixed quad division.

The Quad division is mixed -gender division, for players that have impairments in at least three limbs and the competitors, are allowed to use motorized wheelchairs.