Nigeria had a reason to celebrate after the West African Nation claimed four out of seven categories of the concluded 9th edition of Uganda International badminton tournament held at MTN Arena over the weekend.
Ola Fagbemi and Adesokan Dorcus Ajoke beat fellow nationals, Abah Enejoh and Atolagbe Tosin Damilola, 2-1 (15-21,21-10,21-18) in the mixed doubles finals.
Atolagbe Tosin Damilola and Azeez Fatima came a set down to win fellow compatriots (Ajoke Dorcus Adesokan and Ebhomien Augustina) 2-1{14-21,21-9,21-12) in the women doubles finals.
In the U19 boys singles, Nigerian Belo Habeeb Temitope who beat Ugandan Derrick Odoch at the round of two, needed a 2-1 (21-17,17-21,21-11)win over Algerian Medel Youcef Sabri to win this category.
Dorcus Ajoke Adesokan from Nigeria beat Augustina Ebhomien (also from Nigeria) 2-0 (21-15,21-20) to lift the U19 girls singles trophy.
Sri Lanka’s Dinuka Karunaratne defended the men’s singles trophy after beating South Africa’s Jacob Maliekal 2-0 (21-12,21-15) in a highly supported game.
“Am very happy to win this trophy again”. Dinuka Karunarate told Kawowo Sports shortly after he had been crowned. The 27 year looks forward to doing better in other international events after the win improved his world ranking. “I have gained much confidence and it will help me in the Olympics qualifiers. “This has also improved on my world ranking”. Dinuka added.
Trupti Murgunde from India defeated Lekha Handunkuttihettige (from Sri Lanka) 2-0 (22-20,21-14) in the women’s singles category.
“It has not been an easy game for me because I had expected her (Lekha Handunkuttihettige) to take me to the 3rd round but she did not.” “I thank God that I have won it in two rounds”. Trupti Murgunde said after the game.
In the other games, Chong Chun Quan and Yeoh Seng Zoe from Malaysia were 2-1 (21-14,11-21,21-14) winners over South African duo Andries Malan and Viljoen Willem in the men’s doubles category.