Tough draw awaits locals at Uganda Open

Feb 15, 2009

UGANDAN players await a tough draw today in the Tusker Malt Uganda Open tennis championships that swing into action tomorrow. The qualifiers started yesterday at the Lugogo Tennis Centre.

By Phillip Corry

UGANDAN players await a tough draw today in the Tusker Malt Uganda Open tennis championships that swing into action tomorrow. The qualifiers started yesterday at the Lugogo Tennis Centre.

Uganda’s top tennis player Duncan Mugabe is poised to be ranked top seed by the local organisers, the Uganda Lawn Tennis Association (ULTA).

Mugabe is the winner of the East Africa prize money circuit leg in Bujumbura, Burundi.

Zimbabwe’s Martin Dzuwa, winner of last year’s edition of the open is expected to be seed two while Rwanda’s top tennis player Jean Claude Gasigwa, winner of the Kigali leg of the prize money circuit is likely to be seeded number three.

East African Breweries Limited under the Tusker Malt brand will officially unveil their sponsorship today. The package is close to sh50m for the week-long tournament, the most prestigious event on the calendar.

The other foreign players expected to participate are Hassan Murisho from Burundi, Francis Rogoi from Kenya, Issa Chuma from Burundi, Dieudonne Habiyambere from Rwanda, Emmanuel Rukundo from Rwanda, Jasmine Umuraza and Girelle Umumararungu also from Rwanda.

The ladies include Catherine Odour from Kenya, Rosette Musoke, Lydia Ndagire Tabitha Nankya (Uganda), Joseline Umulisa and Santiana Irakunda from Rwanda.

Last year’s winner in women’s singles Evelyn Otula has not yet confirmed participation.

Participants will be vying for honours in the men’s singles and doubles, women singles and doubles and mixed doubles.

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