BY JUMA ALI
It’s now less than 20 days to the National Open taekwando championship which is scheduled to take place from 13-15 September 2023 at Sharing youth centre hall, Nsambya.
The three days event is expected to kick off on Wednesday 13th and over 30 clubs from five countries; Uganda (the host), Rwanda, DR. Congo, Burundi and Kenya are expected to take part.
The Ugandan clubs that are expected to be involved in 9 championship edition include, CSCA A and B, Uganda Police, Prison, UPDF, Ndejje University, Makerere University, Golden age, Kampala club, Exyreme, IYF, Rubaga Girls, Gulu university.
The Uganda taekwondo Open championship will help the fighters to prepare themselves for the Gorilla open championship which is expected to be held in Rwanda in October and Kenya Open championship which is expected to be held in Kenya in November, according to Ibrahim Bogere, finance officer in the Uganda taekwondo federation.
Bogere, said that, in November, they are expecting to organise the East African taekwondo championship here in Uganda for the first time.
Uganda Police are the defending champions, after emerging overall winner at the tournament which was also held at Sharing youth center, Nsambya.
Emma Hahumi, a fighter from CSCA said that last year he got gold medal in fly weight but this year has changed to bantam weight and expect to win gold again.
Afayo Bidina, a fighter from CSCA who got bronze in last year edition in bantam, this year has turned to feather weight as he aims for a gold medal.
Hijira Amina, CSCA fighter who got bronze last year, this time she expects a gold medal.
Oloma Sharifah, also a CSCA fighter who won silver last year, this time wants gold.
Karim Mulwana, coach of CSCA said that last year they missed the position of being overall champion by just one silver and this time, he has already provided skills and techniques to the fighters such that this time they can archive the overall winners position.
The tournament is taking fighters from different categories, ages and weights.
