Ekiring vows to bounce back from defeat to Jacob Maliekal
Sep 21, 2015
"I am ready to fight back this weekend in Ethiopia," Edwin Ekiring said after falling to Africa’s seed two, Jacob Maliekal at the Kampala International Badminton Open on Sunday.
By David Namunyala
Kampala International Badminton Open
Finals;
Singles, men
J. Maliekal (RSA) bt E. Ekiring (UGA) 21-8, 18-21, 21-10
Women,
S. Bangi (UGA) bt D. Nakalyango (UGA) 21-15, 21-7
Doubles,
Men,
H. Ebayo, J. Musisi bt A. Babu, F. Waya 21-16, 24-22
Women,
D. Nakalyango, G. Najjuka bt B. Mugabi, A. Nakiyemba 21-17, 21-11
Mixed,
H. Ebayo, D. Nakalyango bt D. Senono, M. Namakoye 21-14, 21-7
"I am ready to fight back this weekend in Ethiopia," Edwin Ekiring said after falling to Africa’s seed two, Jacob Maliekal at the Kampala International Badminton Open on Sunday.
The 32 year old who also doubles as Africa’s best and Uganda’s seed one had a disappointing weekend on home turf after falling to South Africa’s Maliekal in the men’s final over the weekend at Lugogo.
The former Sharing Club player currently playing professional badminton in the Netherlands started poorly losing the first set 21-8 to Maliekal.
He later recovered beating his opponent 21-18 in the second set to level the game but this didn’t last long as he failed to win the third set. The final set lasted nine minutes as Maliekal defeated Ekiring 21-10 to win the men’s contest.
It’s the second time Ekiring is losing to Maliekal in less than a week. He lost to the South African in the team events at the All Africa Games in Congo before handing him another defeat in Kampala.
“Ekiring is a good athlete but plays a slow game so the only way I could destabilise him was by playing a very fast game,” Maliekal said.
While Ekiring who has so far not won any tournament at home has now set his eyes on winning the upcoming Ethiopia Badminton International Championship starting this weekend in Addis Ababa
“Maybe am just not lucky at home but I haven’t lost hope,” Ekiring said.
Meanwhile in the ladies final, Shamim Bangi beat her Ndejje University teammate and best friend Daisy Nakalyango 21-15, 21-7 to take the crown.
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