Uganda’s team at the 2025 Africa hopes week and challenge in Lagos Nigeria has started wonderfully with an unbeaten run in both genders.
World champion Joseph Sebatindira won eight of eight games played while reigning girls champion Patience Anyango was unscathed in the six games she played.
Sebatindira started with a 3-0;11-6,11-2 and 11-8 victory over Algerian Abdel Tazerout and continued his brilliance throughout the day.
Patience Anyango beat Tunisian Chebbi Ritej 3-0,11-3,11-5 and 11-7 to set the tone for the next five wins that kept her in sight of defending her crown.
This tournament that is a reserve for players under 12 years continues today with the boys contesting eight rounds while the girls have six to play.
Along the way, Sebatindira lost just three games in a 3-1 victory over Egyptian Hamza Salman in round three and in a round eight thriller against Ghanaian Israel Aklie whom he beat 3-2.
For Anyango, it was just one game lost to Egyptian Goudy Sheba in a 3-1 round 5 victory.
The tournament of 17 boys and 13 girls is played on a round robin format with players to be seeded and the top players qualify for the World hopes week and challenge in the United Kingdom in October.
Upon completion of this Africa hopes week and challenge, focus will turn to the under 15 and 19 Africa youth championship and will climax with the Africa youth Cup.
Other players in Nigeria for those tournaments are Sharif Nsereko, Ibrahim Mutesasira, Jemima Nakawala, Patra Nasirumbi and Parvin Nangonzi.
They are under the tutorship of Alvin Katumba and Tendo Balyewunya.
Detailed scores:
Boys:
Round 1
Joseph Sebatindira (Uganda) – 3
Abdel Tazerout (Algeria) – 0
[11-6,11-2,11-8]
Round 2
Joseph Sebatindira (Uganda) – 3
William Ras Twyman (Namibia) – 0
[11-2,11-7,11-4]
Round 3
Hamza Salman (Egypt) 1
Joseph Sebatindira (Uganda) – 3
[06-11,11-8,4-11,5-11]
Round 4
Jayi Akhlie (South Africa) 0
Joseph Sebatindira (Uganda) – 3
[5-11,4-11,6-11]
Round 5
Codo Christian (Benin) – 0
Joseph Sebatindira (Uganda) – 3
[2-11,6-11,2-11]
Round 6
Joseph Sebatindira (Uganda) – 3
Ganiou Abdourahamanne (Benin) – 0
[11-6,11-8,11-6]
Round 7
Toubega Mohammed (Togo) – 0
Joseph Sebatindira (Uganda) – 3
[4-11,8-11,9-11]
Round 8
Joseph Sebatindira (Uganda) – 3
Israel Aklie (Ghana) 2
[9-11,12-10,9-11,11-6,13-11]
Girls:
Round 1
Patience Anyango (Uganda) 3
Chebbi Ritej (Tunisia) 0
[11-3,11-5,11-7]
Round 2
Patience Anyango (Uganda) – 3
Bessa Godwin (Benin) – 0
[11-2,11-4,11-01]
Round 3
Camara Sia (Guinea) – 0
Patience Anyango (Uganda) – 3
[05-11,6-11,6-11]
Round 4
Princess Tichiwangani (Zimbabwe) 0
Patience Anyango (Uganda) – 3
[01-11,2-11,1-11]
Round 5
Patience Anyango (Uganda) – 3
Goudy Sheba (Egypt) – 1
[11-9,11-6,9-11,11-3]
Round 6
Patience Anyango (Uganda) – 3
Leal Marshal ( South Africa) – 0
[11-03,11-5,11-04]
