Tukire surrenders badminton crown

By David Namunyala and Norman Katende

Wilson Tukire will not defend the men’s singles title at the Baroda Badminton Open starting at Lugogo today.

The top seed said he is out of the event because of other commitments.

“I could not prepare adequately yet I am committed elsewhere,” Tukire stated.

Tukire’s withdrawal gives Daniel Muhigo, Brian Suuna, William Kabindi an opportunity to go for the title.

At the same time,

women’s top seed Shamim Bangi is wary of Margaret Nankabirwa’s challenge at the annual competition.

The last event of the badminton season, is due to end on Sunday.

Bangi and Nankabirwa, both students of Ndejje University, are training partners at Kampala club.

Bangi had the upperhand in many of the previous tournaments before she lost to her rival in the Baroda Open last year.

Uganda Badminton Association chief executive officer Simon Mugabi expects the two players to mount a fresh exciting battle.

“They have been training hard and we expect them to put up a good challenge, we will seed them in such a way that they can only meet in the final,” Mugabi said.

“We have also invited the winners of the Mbale leg of tournament so that they gain more experience.”

Baroda Bank injected sh8.7m in the tournament.

The leading players will share sh1.7m.