Squash: Rukunya pockets sh1.2m from Parklands Open

Ian Rukunya (pictured) was the last man standing for Uganda as the Parklands Open International tournament ended at the Parklands Sports Club in Nairobi on Saturday.

For finishing second, he took home sh1.2m in what has been an eventful year for the youngster, who before the Nairobi tournament, had won the Nakuru and Kabira Opens.

Mike Kawooya who was a semi-finalist picked sh700, 000 from the five-day tournament.

Coach Derrick Banyu led a four-man team from Kampala Club that comprised of; Michael Kawooya, Ian Rukunya, Paul Kadoma and Lawrence Matovu to the annual championship.

But it was Rukunya who made the finals despite losing 3-0 (11-6, 11-7, 12-10) to Kenya's Muqtadir Nimji.

"It was a tough match but hopefully I will have better luck next time," Rukunya said on return on Sunday.

He had earlier beaten Hartaj Bains 3-2 (11-9, 11-8, 9 -11, 6 -11, 11 -4) in the semi-finals where team captain Michael Kawooya lost to eventual winner Muqtadir Nimji 3-1 (6-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-8).

Other team Uganda members Paul Kadoma and Lawrence Matovu had bowed out earlier having won two and a game each respectively. Matovu had got a walk-over in the first round before he fell to Kawooya in the second round.

On his part Kadoma beat Riz Khan and Benson Rono 3-0 before he fell to Hartaj Bains 3-2 in the quarter finals.

Last year Kawooya reached the semis of the same tournament, after he had won the Nakuru and Diani Opens in Mombasa.