Emmanuel Kato and Nicholas Dheyongera beat the two teams to win their maiden National Castle Lite Beach Volleyball Open last weekend at Lido Beach in Entebbe. The duo eliminated Hannington Nsubuga and Isaac Omedo 2-1 (12-21, 21-16, 17-15) in the semifinals, before seeing off top seeds Dickens Otim and Ambrose Otwao in the finals in straight sets (21-17, 21-18).
The final was almost blown away after Dheyongera suffered a muscle pull while leading 17-13 in second sets but soldiered on to the end. “It was persistence that saw us come out on top,” Said Dheyongra. “We have been training hard and working on our endurance a lot but also improving on the fundamentals of beach volleyball,” he added.
Nsubuga Omedo beat Johnson Kawenyera and Jean Mugisha 2-1 (17-21, 21-10, 15-12) in the bronze medal match.
It was the first for the women too, as new pair Belinda Jepkirui and Margaret Namyalo paired for the first time and cruised to the final without dropping a set. Only to be defeated by experienced Josephine Namanda and Diana Agaba in straight sets (21-17, 21-17). “I can’t say we had an easy ride to the finals,” Namanda reckoned. “All the teams are strong, you can’t underestimate anyone or you will be surprised,” she added. Nineteen men’s teams and 24 for the women took part in the two day event.
Previous winners of the Beach Volleyball Open
2013: event not held
2012 Men: Hannington Nsubuga / Isaac Omedo Women: Adrina Namata / Mercy Tabitha
2011 Men: Amon Ainebyona / Isaac Omedo Women: Vivienne Aketch / Sharon Pajije
2010 Men: Ambrose Okello / Dickens Otim Women: Andrina Namata / Mercy Tabitha
2009 Men: Luke Eittit / Lawrence Yakan Women: Andrina Namata / Mercy Tabitha
2008 Men: Jeff Lwalanda / Lawrence Yakan Women: Mariam Nakamanya / Yelena Juma
2007 Men: Alex Nduhukire / Hannington Nsubuga Women: Dorothy Nampiima / Harriet Ssali
2006: event not held
2005: event not held
2004 Men: Nasiwu Sadik / Titus Toma Women: Dorothy Nampiima / Harriet Ssali