End of administrative wrangles revived table tennis
Dec 28, 2010
WELL the table tennis year started with an end to the table tennis wrangles that rocked the sport. Players were fighting for the removal of the then association chairman Emmanuel Matsyetsye which left almost all activities in 2009 in limbo.
By Norman Katende
WELL the table tennis year started with an end to the table tennis wrangles that rocked the sport. Players were fighting for the removal of the then association chairman Emmanuel Matsyetsye which left almost all activities in 2009 in limbo.
However, 2010 brought a year of hope as the players stabilised with a new executive and Amina Lukaya shot into the ITTF Ranks.
Prior to that, Denis Galabuzi and Robert Ssemakula were unknown in the tennis quotas, but during the election assembly, they took over the mantle as chairman and secretary and they promised to a stable which they have done with in just one year in office.
Local competition
Though no new faces won medals, leaving household names like Amina Lukaaya and Kevin Mafabi to dominate, there is the little known Gilton Chelinde of Nakasero Primary school who put up a great and memorable performance.
He was a new name from the usual Mbale Tigers faces that have come to dominate the sport.
Regional competition
Uganda’s dominance continued in the region in Kenya where Uganda walked off with all the titles that were for grabs the Coastal, Kengen, Kisumu Open events.
International scene
It was an average outing at both the Commonwealth Games and Africa Youth championships.
Administration
Getting equipment worth $50,000 from the international body was a great boost, but the executive has to fight the indiscipline that is threatening the sport.
WELL the table tennis year started with an end to the table tennis wrangles that rocked the sport. Players were fighting for the removal of the then association chairman Emmanuel Matsyetsye which left almost all activities in 2009 in limbo.
However, 2010 brought a year of hope as the players stabilised with a new executive and Amina Lukaya shot into the ITTF Ranks.
Prior to that, Denis Galabuzi and Robert Ssemakula were unknown in the tennis quotas, but during the election assembly, they took over the mantle as chairman and secretary and they promised to a stable which they have done with in just one year in office.
Local competition
Though no new faces won medals, leaving household names like Amina Lukaaya and Kevin Mafabi to dominate, there is the little known Gilton Chelinde of Nakasero Primary school who put up a great and memorable performance.
He was a new name from the usual Mbale Tigers faces that have come to dominate the sport.
Regional competition
Uganda’s dominance continued in the region in Kenya where Uganda walked off with all the titles that were for grabs the Coastal, Kengen, Kisumu Open events.
International scene
It was an average outing at both the Commonwealth Games and Africa Youth championships.
Administration
Getting equipment worth $50,000 from the international body was a great boost, but the executive has to fight the indiscipline that is threatening the sport.