As Uganda International Series getting to it’s closing end, Fadilah Shimika Muhammad Rafi with fellow young star partner, Tracy Naluwooza to get their feet at the biggest stage of the tournament on Saturday October 7th by Defeating the opponents from Rajesh from UAE.
The duo of Fadilah Shamika and Tracy Naluwooza were too fit for their competitors, Aleena Qathun and Nayonika at semi-finals in the women’s doubles by 2-0 sets score.
Despite the Ugandan duo getting into the final, they will only be pleased by emerging victors in the final scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday 8th October 2023 at Lugogo indoor stadium.
“we only want gold medal, yes it is our first senior finals but we have been together for a quiet a good time we understand each other and being at home soil is also a boost, we are good to win our final tomorrow.”
Few minutes she returned to court to seek herself another final appearance but it ended by getting exposed how fatigued she was, as she was beaten by Polish Viktoria Dabczynska who won the semi final by straight sets. Fadilah to walks away with a bronze in that category.
Another Uganda women doubles duo of Husina Kobugabe and Gladys Mbabazi have already settled for a bronze having lost their semi’s to Rutaparna Panda and Swataparna Panda of India.
In Men’s Doubles, Brian Kasirye and Muzafaru Lubega are also in finals after overcoming Muhammad Mahdi Mirshekari and Saleh Sangtarash of Iran. While Expedito Emuddu and Augustus Owinyi has a bronze at hand after getting stopped by Mathew Abela and Maxim Grinblat of Malta and Israel.
Meanwhile, Simon Mugabi, the CEO of Uganda Badminton Association has expressed that Uganda players are having brighter chances to qualify for Olympics 2024 based on their performance at this tournament which is closing tomorrow.
“Our players are with good chances to make it to Paris 2024, they have performed well they have reached Quarters semi’s and finals, that means that they have secured some good points since we are in Olympics qualifier, despite they have to play in all remaining qualifying events 6 in number”
The finals shall get underway at exactly 11:00am with the Closing ceremony expected at 03:pm
Finals schedules Starting at 11:00
Mixed Doubles
Koceila Mammeri/ Tanina Violette Mammeri (Algeria) Vs Caden Kakora/Johanita Scholtz (South Africa)
Women’s Doubles
Rutaparna Panda/Swetaparna Panda (India) Vs Fadilah Shimika Muhammad Rafi/Tracy Naluwooza (Uganda)
Men’s Doubles
Mathew Abela/Maxim Grinblat (Malta/Israel) Vs Brian Kasirye/Muzafaru Lubega (Uganda)
Women’s Singles
Megana Reddy Mereddy (India) Vs Wiktoria Dabczynska (Poland)
Men’s Singles
Vishal Vasudevan (INDIA) Vs Luis Ramon Garrido.
