Sixty for Kampala Para-Badminton championships
Apr 26, 2017
Para-Badminton in Uganda took root in the country last year
Polish number 2 para-badminton player Bartlomiej Mrosz is among sixty players set to compete in the first edition of the Uganda International Para-Badminton Championships, starting today at the Sharing hall.
Mrosz who will compete in SU5 class is a sole representative for his country in the four-day championship that has attracted five countries that include; France, Poland, Nigeria, India and hosts Uganda.
The first of its kind on the African continent the tournament will have Uganda fielding 36 participants as they eye fielding a team in the 2020 Paralympic games to be held in Tokyo, Japan. India is fielding 11, France 2 and Nigeria 3 participants in the April 27-30 tournament.
"It is a turning point for the game of badminton because we are going an extra mile with the first para-badminton international tournament which is a ranking tournament that has attracted a good number of participants," Uganda Badminton Association Chairman Shaban Nkutu Muziransa said.
"Our team has prepared well and we expect participants in all categories. We are grateful to the Badminton World Federation who is the main sponsors of this event, the African federation and local partners for their contribution," Muziransa stated.
"This is one of the sport that Uganda can easily win medals at the Olympics so we want to prepare early and ensure we have a team by 2020, so we expect a tough contest,"
Chairman Para-Badminton Uganda Herbert Otto said Para-Badminton in Uganda took root in the country last year when they organised the first national tournament that attracted 30 participants.
"We are now extending the game to the disabled and we want to market the sport further," "It's a landmark for Uganda because this is a big event and a ranking tournament that will help the players earn points," UBA CEO Mugabi said.
The tournament will have players compete in five classes; Wheel Chair 1, Wheel Chair 2, Standing lower 3 and 4 and Standing Upper.
Speaker Rebecca Kadaga will set the tournament in motion today.