Kibuli S.S Table Tennis Club dominates the Inaugural Uganda Table Tennis National League

Overview:

Kibuli S.S' duo of Samuel Ankunda Mbabazi (men) and Parvin Nangonzi (women) won the top prizes at the inaugural Uganda national table tennis league.

The inaugural Uganda National Table Tennis League successfully winded down at the Lugogo Indoor Stadium in Kampala city on Saturday, 3^rd February 2024.

After several months of grueling action at the CFK Arena and Lugogo stadium, the curtains eventually were majestically brought down.

Over 200 players from across the across the country in the different clubs were engaged in the national league, cross-cutting several age brackets.

Kibuli Secondary School Table Tennis Club dominated the national league that started in March 2023.

Some of the top performers in the Uganda National Table Tennis League | Credit: David Isabirye

Following 18 matches, Kibuli S.S’ Samuel Ankunda Mbabazi emerged top of the standings with 34 points fetched.

“It is a wonderful feeling” Ankunda stated. “It has taken consistence, perseverance and hard-work to emerge top in the national league. I am humbled for this victory and I thank my clubmates as well as the other Table Tennis players” Ankunda who won a total prize money of Ug.Shs 1,500,000, a trophy and a gold medal revealed.

Ndejje University’s Benjamin Achuma won silver on countback, amassing 31 points in a nail-biting finish over Philip Napookoli and Joshua Magaya (both Kibuli S.S) who followed suit with 31 points apiece.

Achuma won a silver medal, trophy and Ug.Shs 1,000,000.

Samuel Ankunda Mbabazi (right) receives his trophy and certificate in the U-18 category | Credit: David Isabirye

In the female category, Commonwealth representative Parvin Nangonzi, of Kibuli Secondary School club was victorious with 35 points from 18 matches played, winning on countback over fellow Commonwealth player Jemimah Nakawala.

Nangonzi earned a gold medal, a glittering trophy, certificate and Ug.Shs 1,500,000 as Nakawala also got a trophy, silver medal, certificate and Ug.Shs 1,000,000.

Mbogo College’s Amina Nampeera finished third with 31 points to take bronze.

Girls action during the Uganda Table Tennis National League | Credit: David Isabirye

Swaburah Namiiro recieves her U-18 runners up certificate, cash prize, medal and trophy | Credit: David Isabirye

The U-18 and U-13 clusters were also rewarded independently with world champion Joseph Ssebatindira among the U-13 top performers.

Different young players from the Slum Ping-Pong project were also recognized with certificates, trophies and prize money.

Slum Ping Pong players show off their certificates and medals at Lugogo Indoor Stadium | Credit: David Isabirye

Uganda Table Tennis Association (UTTA) president Robert Jjagwe hailed the players and team officials for the successful league held.

Jjagwe tagged this historic league as a “game changer” that has kept the players busy as they harnessed their skills over a long period of time.

“I thank the players, officials for the brevity throughout the league. I also thank the National Council of Sports (NCS) for the sponsorship. This league has been a game changer for the players as they have been kept engaged for a long time of period” Jjagwe stated.