Oduor returns to defend Bell Open title

By James Bakama NORBERT Oduor will be hunting for a hat-trick in the Bell Lager tennis Open that starts today at Lugogo courts. Oduor, leading a team of seven Kenyans that includes US based professional Allan Cooper, will face Kenny Newell in his opening match. The Kenyans are expected tomorrow. But all might not be easy for Oduor, as top Ugandan player John Oduke is eager to end his two year absence from the winners' rostrum. "Oduor is a good player, an all rounder, but in tennis surprises can happen," warned Oduke, who has been seriously training for the two-week competition. Oduke's quest for the title starts today with a date with Kampala Club player David Waigo in an opening schedule featuring ten matches. Action starts at 3pm with five matches. Five more matches will be played from 4.30pm. Uganda Breweries through its flagship brand Bell Lager sponsor the competition, which will this time have the men's winner bagging sh1.25m, while the best woman will earn sh750,000. Oduor beat Rwanda's Sylvani Rutikanga to win last year's men's singles, while the women's competition was won by local leading player Janet Magona. Today's program: 3pm- R.Lubowa v I. Byansi, P. Olobo v J. Oyet, M. Kyambadde v C. Mutebi, G. Uzunga v J. Bayego, R. Kamya v W. Gitta. 4.30pm- D.Waigo v J.Oduke, T. Sahirzadi v Y Balodis, S. Mbazira v J. Tujende, P. Mwesigye v J.Odong, P. Recibzac v R. Senyanja. Ends.