The Uganda para-badminton team set off yesterday to Bahrain for an international tournament scheduled for 17th to 23rd May 2023.
A team of seven players was flagged off on Sunday, 14th May 2023 at Sharing Hall Nsambya by the Uganda Paralympic Committee President Hon. Bamali Mpindi.
The team is optimistic that they will collect important points from Manama City that will qualify them to the 2024 Paralympics in Paris France.
Uganda’s team has two men and five ladies.
Team composition:
Uganda’s team has the likes of Sarah Naziwa (WH1), Ali Mukasa Kibirango (WH2), Rose Nansereko (SL3), Elizabeth Mwesigwa (SL3), Hassana Mubiru (SL4), Sumini Mutesi (SU5) and Rita Asiimwe (SU5).
Fatumah Nabirungi and Edwin Masiiko travel as the coaches.
Hon Mpindi notified that this event will help Ugandan players to gain more points that will enable them to qualify for 2024 paralympics in Paris city, France.
“As we flag off our team to Bahrain, there is that urge to attain points for qualification to the Paralympics in Paris City, France. We are looking for points ahead of the February 2024 deadline” Mpindi noted.
Hon. Mpindi also called upon other people with disabilities to join para sports like para badminton, among others.
Edwin Masiiko, the Uganda Para- badminton coach believes that the team will perform to the best of their expectation, given the good training held.
“We have trained well and the players are set to battle in Bahrain” Masiiko remarked.
Sarah Naziwa, one of the traveling athletes asserted that she will optimally utilize the opportunity to collect points that will enable her to go for para- Olympics.
“This is my first time to compete outside Uganda after joining the sport in 2022. I am determine to collect the needed qualification points” Naziwa noted.
Uganda Para Badminton female player
After the Bahrain para-badminton international, focus will turn to the 2023 Uganda international para-badminton in Kampala city (3rd to 9th July).
After the Uganda International, attention will be to the Africa Para Badminton event (11th to 16th July) in Kampala city too.
Both the Uganda International and Africa para badminton tournament are also part of the events that can win athletes qualification points for Paris 2024.
