Ekiring taps IBF boost

Jun 07, 2006

EDWIN Ekiring’s performance at the recent Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, has earned him a place in the Guangzhou Academy to help him qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games, writes <b>Norman Katende</b>.

EDWIN Ekiring’s performance at the recent Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, has earned him a place in the Guangzhou Academy to help him qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games, writes Norman Katende.
Ekiring (right) is supposed to travel for the academy next month but the local badminton federation UBA is still looking for more funds to top up his travel expenses to tournaments and during the training programme.

The national top seed was one of two African males selected for the International Badminton Federation (IBF) World Training Centre Programme 2006-2008.

“After a meeting in Tokyo where all the players’ names were discussed, we have now produced a list of players with potential for Olympic qualification,” read a communication from Guenther Huber, director of performance development at IBF. “Athletes were selected on a priority basis,” Huber further wrote.

Zambia’s Elly Mwabe was the other African while Nigeria’s Daniel Grace and Mauritius’ Foo Kune Karen are the women selected for the programme that starts July 3.

IBF and Olympic Solidarity will meet the air travel to the academies while national associations cover costs to the competitions.

“It’s a good gesture to us. He proved a point and his performance is being recognised,” said national coach Simon Mugabi.

UBA has, meanwhile, fixed the annual Picfare Schools tournament for June 23-26 at Lugogo.

Registration, for the event to attract only students, is on at Lugogo and closes on June 20 ahead of the draw.
Ends

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