Fifteen countries have confirmed their Uganda International Badminton championships that swings into action February 20-23 at Lugogo Indoor Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.
The International Badminton ranking tournament landed a five million sponsorship from Sameer Agriculture and Livestock Limited this morning at their head offices in Industrial Area.
“This a great gesture by Sameer who have been our sponsors for the last three year’s this year’s event is bigger than last year with 15 nations confirming their participation,” Simon Mugabi, the tournament director said at the the unveiling. “We expect over 66 international players who are all fighting to get ranking points ahead of Rio de Janeiro, Summer Olympic games in Brazil.”
Countries that have confirmed their participation include Australia, Malaysia, India, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Israel, Egypt, Algeria, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Kenya, Nigeria, Mauritius, Tanzania and the hosts Uganda.
The International Ranking tournament will see players from the 15 nations battling for $5,000 (sh12.1m) the winner of the men’s and ladies singles title will walk away with $600(sh1.4m) while the runners-up in both the men’s and ladies singles $400(sh974 thousand shillings).
“It’s a honour for us to be sponsorship this international tournament for a third year running and we hope that the winner of the event comes from this country,” Sudhir Mathulla, the Head of Business at Sameer Agriculture and Livestock Limited said. “We will gladly wish all the best to all the participants at this international tournament.”
Uganda’s onslaught for the top honours will be spearheaded by Holland based Edwin Ekiring and Shamim Bangi other notable players include Wilson Tukire, Daisy Nakalyango, Brian Ssuna, Herbert Ebayo and Margaret Nankabirwa just to mention.