Uganda’s top seeded badminton player Edwin Ekiring has revealed he is not under any sort of pressure ahead of the Friday’s action in the Uganda International Championship.
Ekiring, who is based in Holland has never won the Uganda International, a feat he feels has haunted him for years.
In an exclusive interview with Kawowo Sports, Ekiring revealed he feels no pressure to deliver like before as he strives to break the jinx.
It hurts that I have not won the Uganda international open despite doing well away from home.
In the past, too much pressure of playing home has let me down.
This time round, I am under no kind of pressure and I feel I will do well.
Good preparations:
Ekiring says he has prepared well while in Holland and feels set for the competition.
I have prepared well for the past months. I do not have any injuries. I have the mental and physical strength.
I feel ready for action with a target to win before my home fans.
The Uganda International started on Thursday with the qualification matches till the closing stages on Sunday.
Tournament top seed Paul Julien Georges (ranked 217th in the entire world) will lock horns with Uganda’s Bruno Masaba in what looks a walk in the park battle for the Mauritius national.
Ekiring, seeded number two at the tournament comes to the fray later on Friday when he takes on Kenya’s John Muiruri Mburu in one of the matches.
French player Yannick Blondin, winner of two matches in the qualification round will play Ian Senoga on Friday.
Seed 6 Shamim Bangi plays Erina Nalwati in what looks an easy fixture on paper.
In other matches on the day, Tracy Naluwooza takes on Egypt’s Doha Hany, Mable Namakoye will play Haneen Derar Al Wedyan, Esther Najjuma faces Lebella Nasasira while Ruth Nakawoya battles Ronah Bayiga.
The players are competing for trophies with a total jack pot of $ 8000 as prize money to be distributed among the respective top performers.
Friday Matches:
Georges Julien Paul (Mauritius) Vs Bruno Masaaba (Uganda)
Davies Senono (Uganda) Vs John Riad (Egypt)
Brian Kasirye (Uganda) Vs Edwin Akwanyi (Kenya)
Hadia Hosny (Egypt) Vs Daisy Begayirirwa (Uganda)
Israel Wanagalya (Uganda) Vs Mohamed Mostafa Kamel (Egypt)
Mohd Naser Mansour Nayef (Lebanon) Vs Jacob Musisi (Uganda)
Rudolf Dellechach (Iran) Vs Nicholas Kayongo (Uganda)
Bridget Ategeka (Uganda) Vs Brenda Mugabi (Uganda)
Ian Senoga (Uganda) Vs Yannick Blondin (France)
Herbert Ebayo (Uganda) Vs John Wanyoike (Kenya)
Ian Mayega (Uganda) Vs Patrick Kinyua Mbogo (Kenya)
Evelyn Siamupangila (Zambia) Vs Rehema Nakalema (Uganda)
Edwin Njeri (Kenya) Vs Moustafa Bumpenje (Uganda)
Daniel Mihogo (Uganda) Vs Bahaedeen Ahmad Alshannik (Lebanon)
Domou Amro (Lebanon) Vs Brenda Awor (Uganda)
Ambrose Nadiope (Uganda) Vs Ahmed Salah (Egypt)
Expedito Emuddu (Uganda) Vs Irfan Ali Bhadusha Abdul Vahab (Uganda)
Muzafar Lubega (Uganda) Vs Adam Mubiru (Uganda)
Doha Hany (Egypt) Vs Tracy Naluwooza (Uganda)
John Muiruri Mburu (Kenya) Vs Edwin Ekiring (Uganda)
Aisha Nakiyemba (Uganda) Vs Judith Namatovu (Uganda)
Erina Nalwati (Uganda) Vs Bridget Shamim Bangi (Uganda)
Haneen Derar Al- Wedyan (Indonesia) Vs Mable Namakoye (Uganda)
Mellon Nahirya (Uganda) Vs Patricia Aluko (Uganda)
Sharifah Nansereko (Uganda) Vs Gladys Mbabazi (Uganda)
Carle Umilingimana (Uganda) Vs Kivis Andia (Kenya)
Esther Najjuma (Uganda) Vs Labella Nasasira (Uganda)
Betty Apio (Uganda) Vs Menna Eltanany (Egypt)
Husina Kobugabe (Uganda) Vs Ogar Siamupangila (Zambia)
Salma Mutesi (Uganda) Vs Maureen Byarugaba (Uganda)
Muzafar Lubega (Uganda) Vs Adham Hatem Elgamal (Egypt)
Augustus Owinyi (Uganda) Vs Mohamed Mostafa Kamel (Egypt)
Men Doubles:
Cliff Kamugisha / Felix Ocitti Vs Irfab Ali Bhadusha / Areej Shalwani
Nicholas Kayongo / Joshua Muguluma Vs Jose Abin / Alan Fintan Sherry
Ronald Lule / Israel Wanagalya Vs Daniel Akau / Moustafa Bumpenje
Edwin Ekiring / Daniel Mihigo Vs Edwin Njeri/ John Wanyoike
Ambrose Nadiope / Aaron Opea Renge Vs Mutombo Tshizanga / Zola Wapi
Mixed Doubles:
Mutombo Tshizanga / Katambua Odia Vs Felix Ocitti / Ruth Nakawoy
