Rwanda’s Jean Claude Gasigwa overcame his compatriot Dieu Donne Habiyambere 6-4,6-1 to claim his second Castle Lite Uganda Tennis Open at the Kampala club center court on Saturday.
The towering veteran was in control in a game that he dominated with his usual baseline power shots as his opponent tried to outwit him with net drop shots. “I really feel happy to come here and win a second time,” Gasigwa said. “This is a good way of starting the year and I believe it will be a big motivator for me in the season.”
Gasigwa’s last win at this prestigious tournament was in 2009 where he beat Kenya’s Thomas Rogoi.
In the ladies final saw Zimbabwe’s Faozai Mawisire overcome Rwanda’s Megan Ingabire 6-2,6-1 in a interesting tie that had the Zimbabwean dominating her Rwandan opponent across the courts on court five. “It’s great to come down here and win here for the first time and hopefully I will be here next year to defend my title,” Mawisire said. “I wish their where more lady players in the competition and I hope that the organisers can encourage more to enter the tournament.”
National tennis coach John Oduke won a double in the men’s veterans competition claiming the men’s singles with a 6-1,6-4 win over James Bayego in a rain affected game. “I feel healthy and young after this win and wish they could continue with this kind of tournament,” Oduke stated. “It’s good to see that we the veterans have the energy too continue playing like this.”
Oduke teamed up with Bayego as they beat James Kasumba and Harad Hechler 6-1,7-6(3). The men’s doubles had Duncan Mugabe team up with his elder brother Daniel Ruyange who beat Rwandans Dieu Donne Habiyambere and Olivier Nkunda 7-6,(6),4-6,7-6(4).
The mixed doubles was won by Faozai Mawisire/Henry Muyanja who beat Kenya’s Ibrahim Kibet and Joie Keter 6-2,6-1. The week long tournament was sponsored by Nile Breweries under their brand libel Castle Lite and Housing Finance Bank. Gasigwa walked away with a revolving trophy and 2.5 million while Mawisire got a trophy and 2 million.