Malaysia emerged as overall winners of the 2023 biggest badminton tournament on Uganda Badminton Association Calendar that Climaxed on Sunday 26th February at Lugogo indoor Arena.
It is highly noted that 49 Countries across the global world participated in the five days event which started on Tuesday and there were over 400 participants.
The Closing Ceremony was graced by State Minister for sports, Hon.Peter Ogwang who was flanked by National Council of Sports Chairman, Mr. Ambrose Tashobya and National Council of Sports Secretary Dr. Patrick Bernard Ogwel.
Hon. Peter Ogwang thanked Uganda Badminton Association for a proper Organisation of the event. Minister pledged more support to the sport that has potential to bring over Fourty Countries in the nation, I would like to recommend the federation.”he Stated
“Finally plans are Underway, for us to have a state of the indoor stadium in Lugogo.And I want to Confirm we are in negotiations.The President will make the official announcement, but as far as the Contract is Concerned, we are having discussions.” Ogwang added
Uganda didn’t perform well, the best player for Uganda bowed at the round of 32 and was Husina Kobugabe.
In fact after watching the final of men’s Singles that was won by Malaysia’s international, Justin Hoh, Minister Ogwang asserted that the nation needs to and on the Capacity of the Coaches and even facilities where players Can easily train from. Minister Said that he his going to have a meeting with the association and see how the government can help the Sport in that area.
In the finals played on Sunday Malaysia’s Justin Hoh and Letshanaa Karupathevan lifted the men and women’s singles titles.
Hoh defeated India’s Kanishq M 21-8, 21-12, while Karupathevan struggled to stop Turkey’s Neshihan Yigit 21-11, 19-21, 21-13 to win the women’s title.
The Indian women’s doubles pair of Trisha Hegde and Khushi Thakkar beat Martina Corsini and Judith Mair 17-21, 23-21, 21-13 in the women’s doubles final.
The men’s doubles was won by the Thailand pair of Pongsakorn Thogkhan and Wongsathorn Thogkhan who defeated Ade Resky Dwicahyo and Azmy Qowimuramadhoni (Azerbaijan) 21-19, 21-18.
Jun Liang Andy Kwek and Wong Jiaying Crystal from Singapore also defeated Philipp Drexler and Serena Au Yeong (Austria) 21-17, 21-19 in the mixed doubles final.
The Malaysian duo men Singles Justin Hoh and Karupathevan Letshanaa won gold in both men’s and Women’s Singles respectively.
Justin Hoh who won the Men’s Singles walk away with the prize money of $15000.
” I feel excited to have won men’s Singles this is the 1st time to participate in this tournament and I believe through preparation and multiple training sessions enabled me to win the men’s Singles,”said Justin Hoh.
Women doubles were won by Indians international , men doubles went to Thailand while mixed doubles were for Singapore.
Here is the full list of winners and categories;
- .Men singles Medalist- Justin Hoh (Malaysia)
- .Women Singles gold-Karupathevan Letshanaa(Malaysia)
- .Men doubles gold- Pongsakorn Thongkhan and Wongsathorn Thongkhar(Thailand).
- .Women doubles gold- Trisha Hedge and Kushi Thakkar(India)
- .Mixed doubles gold- medal- Jun Liang Andy kwek and Wong jia Ying Crystal (Singapore).
The Uganda International Challenge attracted players from Uganda, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mauritius, Azerbaijan, India, Slovakia, USA, Malaysia, Austria, Singapore, Turkey, Germany and Thailand among others.
Note:
The Uganda International Badminton Challenge was a point of accumulation event for both Common wealth games and Olympics games and also has bearing on Countries rankings and even players rankings.
Next will be the Juniors Championship that started on Monday 27th February 2023 at lugogo indoor Arena.
