I will try my level best - Ekiring

By Norman Katende

Badminton: Group F

Wong Wing Ki (Hong Kong), Brice Leverdez (FRA), Edwin Ekiring (UGA)

First round Action Saturday - Monday

Ugandan badminton ace, Edwin Ekiring has accepted that the hurdle that awaits him is tight but “not too stiff to climb”.

After the draws that were released Monday evening at the Wembley badminton arena, Ekiring was drawn in Group F of the 16 groups, where only the winner will advance to the next round of 16.

But despite being drawn against the Olympic Games seed 16, Wong Wing Ki of Hong Kong, Ekiring said that the target in the games is to play a good game and try to advance.

Ekiring is the only African in the men’s single.

“I think I have had enough training. I have been making mistakes but the training I had in Ireland and also with the Dutch team has helped me,” he said.

He accepts it will be a tight game, but promises to be at the top of his game.

Ekiring arrived at the Games Village on Sunday and he is looking to turn around his misfortune when he was eliminated in the second round in Beijing in 2008.

His coach, Simon Mugabi was also positive that Ekiring was ready for the test.

“He is having two-hour training on courts 1, 2 or 3 at the arena to test the floor, lighting and shuttle speed.”

“He is in the right mood and he has no injury. He is very positive,” said Mugabi of the athlete, who missed a gold medal at the All Africa Games due to injury.