This round of fixtures comes at a time when the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) just released its latest player rankings for the continent.
Uganda’s Jemimah Nakawala, 12, is seeded three in the continent’s under-13 category. Her compatriot Parvin Nangonzi, 14, with whom they represented Uganda at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, is now seed five in the under-15 category.
In addition, Samuel Ankunda, completed Uganda’s good news, ranked as seed four in the under-15 boys category, a pointer to how Uganda’s table tennis is making strides.
“All we need is more government support, and we will be able to develop more competitive talent in table tennis,” Robert Jjagwe, the Uganda Table Tennis Association (UTTA) boss, said.
The climb up the rankings for the three lads has followed impressive performances of late, on the continent. In March this year, the aforementioned players took part in the Regional Senior Championships in Djibouti. The women’s team bagged a silver medal, while men won bronze. This was after they outwitted more established opponents, some of whom were 10 years their seniors.
This was followed up by another impressive showing in Kenya at the Africa Club Championships in May, where Uganda’s men won silver, and the women returned home with bronze.
“This is proof of how much we have been working as a federation. We got these players onto a strict training regime with top-quality coaches, and now the results are coming,” Jjagwe said.
Mid last year, the UTTA organized a level-two coaching programme. As a result, seven Ugandan coaches passed and acquired level two coaching certification.
The highest level of coaching in table tennis is level three. But the climb from level one is a huge one especially when one considers that all they could do previously, was teach players how to hold the table tennis bat and how to score in a game.
Level two provides enrichment in as far as game tactics are concerned. It is tactics such as speed, that these youthful players used to edge their more experienced opponents. Unfortunately, these players were unable to make their mark at the Commonwealth Games last year because they did not have the higher-level coaches like Alvin Katumba, whom they have now.
The high-level training the likes of Katumba have attained is expected to go a long way in improving more players, particularly those in the domestic league. The top league has 20 female and 20 male players.
However, it is important to note that for Uganda to have a competitive team when international events come calling, Jjagwe said, the commercialization of the league is imperative.
inarticle} inarticle}