Ssenono shocks Kenyan Mburu on day one

By Norman Katende

UGANDAN Davis Ssenono shocked Kenya's John Mburu in the qualifiers of the Uganda International Badminton Open tournament at Kampala Club on Thursday.

The main draw action starts Friday with the men's singles in the morning, followed by the women games in the afternoon at Sharing Youth Centre, Nsambya.

Ssenono avoided playing near the net and kept replying Mburu's efforts with sinking shots that he could not contain before the Ugandan won 21-15, 21-19.

Another Ugandan Jacob Musisi was let down by fitness after he succumbed to South African youthful star Parakesh Vijayanath 2-1 in an entertaining game.

Musisi had taken the first set 21-19 and was leading the second 18-14, but lost concentration as Vijayanath came from behind to take it 21-18. In the third set, Musisi looked tired and even failed to serve over the net.

“I need to do some gym, I was unfit,” said Musisi after the contest that lasted 30 minutes.

Uganda's top seed Edwin Ekiring has expressed confidence he will go past the first round where he takes on Turkish Murat Sen

“I have improved in my training and with the home crowd, I will make sure I do not disappoint,” said Ekiring.

The women action has Shamim Bangi and Margaret Nankabirwa raring to fly Uganda's flag high.

Uganda International badminton

Select results

J. Musisi (UGA) bt I. Ssenfuka (UGA) 2-0

B. Masaba (UGA) bt S. Mpwanyi (UGA) 2-0

D. Muhingo (UGA) bt F. Kirabo (UGA) 2-0

V. Odera (KEN) BT i. Mayega (UGA) 2-0

D. Ssenono (UGA) bt J. Mburu (KEN) 2-0

P. Vijayanath (RSA) bt J. Musisi (UGA) 2-1

Friday

Main draw

Men (STARTS 9.30AM)

E. Ekiring (UGA) v M. Sen (TUR)

P. Martins (POR) v B. Ssuna (UGA)

Women (STARTS MIDDAY)

J. Cocognimi (SUI) v A. Nakiyemba (UGA)

V. Na (AU) v S. Nalunga (UGA)

S. Nabasirye (UGA) v O. Bayrak (TUR)

S. Bangi (UGA) v A. Tawfeeq (EGY)

M. Nankabirwa (UGA) v S. Ideh (NIG)