Another good year for Ekiring yet again

Jan 18, 2007

WHEN the Kampala Club player heard that he had been picked for the USPA accolade, he put on a shy smile and walked away. He was lost for words, not that he did not expect it, but it was a better consolation after his painful exit in the Africa Senior Championship.

By Norman Katende

USPA AWARDS 2006

Badminton: Edwin Ekiring


WHEN the Kampala Club player heard that he had been picked for the USPA accolade, he put on a shy smile and walked away. He was lost for words, not that he did not expect it, but it was a better consolation after his painful exit in the Africa Senior Championship.

Purely on merit, Ekiring was picked to represent the country at the tournament where he was tipped among favourites to take the continent’s number one spot.
“If I had planned well, I would have achieved something better,” he had said after returning from Algeria.

The trip came after a training stint in Germany, which was availed on recommendation of the national badminton federation. During the training, the Ugandan ace featured in the Hungary Invitational, Dutch Open and Scottish Open where he went beyond the qualifying stage, to showcase his form. He finished in the second round in Hungary and Scotland, and in the fourth round in the Dutch Open.

“The more he plays against such big names, the more he improves on his international performance. This is why he has kept on as Uganda’s top seed,” says coach Simon Mugabi, who has seen Ekiring grow from an U-10 utility player to a regional top rank.

“He has always been focussed. He knows what he wants and he has got the skills. He is looking at becoming a professional and with such training, I am sure he will become one,” says Mugabi, of Ekiring, who has been badminton’s best for the last three years.

The 23-year old’s performance at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne earned him a slot on the international body’s website as the new African wonder kid.

“I think his sticking to the game has made him what he is now. I am sure he will one time top the continent and you never know what will come after. He was a good pick,” sums up Mugabi.

His mastery saw him win the only local tournament he participated in last year — The Manji Open.

Past winners

2006: E. Ekiring
2005: E. Ekiring
2004: E. Ekiring

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