Nakasero Table Tenis Club has expressed readiness for the upcoming 2023 All Africa Games that are scheduled for March in Accra, Ghana.
The 13th edition of the All Africa Games will kickstart on Friday, March 8 to Saturday, March 23 in three host cities; Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast.
In an interview with Kawowo Sports, Nakasero Table Tenis Club coach Alvin Katumba revealed that the preparations have been fair but he expects his troops to reach the podium.
“The preparations have not been the best since we hardly got a chance to get a training camp but still, we have tried to have these athletes go through different drills,” Katumba stated.
“I trust my players and always believe that they offer the best each time they step out to compete. I have shared some of the expectations with them and now we are only waiting for the day to come,” he added.
To qualify for the All Africa Games, Jemimah Nakawala won the female championship qualifiers with 30 points, two ahead of Parvin Nangonzi. However, coach Katumba tips Nangozi to harvest more success than Nakawala on the continental stage.
“Yes, Jemimah (Nakawala) was the champion of the qualifiers in the tight race with Parvin (Nangozi) but at the moment Nangozi seems to be having better form. I believe her confidence and charisma will help her come back with a medal.”
According to Katumba, the biggest challenge to Team Uganda will be Nigeria and Egypt. “The continental level is always different from here back home. The boys and girls are ready but Nigeria and Egypt will put up a big challenge to us.”
In the same breath, Nangozi expects Team Nigeria to be her biggest challenge however she is ready to go and give her best in the tournament.
“I have competed with some players from some of these teams and Team Nigeria is always a challenge but my coach has prepared me well and warned me on what to improve to come back victorious,” she said.
Having four slots per gender, Uganda will be represented by eight athletes; Joseph Ssebatindira, Sharif Nsereko, Samuel Ankunda and Jonathan Ssenyonga for the boys.
The girls are Nakawala, Nangozi, Shanita Namala and Amina Nampeera after a successful qualification series that ended on Sunday, January 7.
