Female table tennis team secures historic continental medal after 29 Years

Uganda's female table tennis team recently secured their first continental medal in 29 years, marking a historic achievement for the sport in the country.

The last time Uganda won a continental medal in table tennis was in 1995 at the All-Africa Games in Harare, Zimbabwe.

During that event, the trio of Paul Mutambuze, George Yiga, and the late Francis Katerrega made it to the semifinals, securing a medal for Uganda. This latest success of a bronze medal at the concluded ITTF Africa Senior Championship in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is a significant milestone for the team and highlights their progress after nearly three decades of waiting for another medal at this level.

Uganda's table tennis team, featuring top players Parvin Nangonzi (Seed 1), Jemimah Nakawala (Seed 2), and Africa U11 Champion Patience Anyango, delivered an impressive performance by defeating Ethiopia and South Africa to reach the semifinals of a major tournament. 

This achievement secured a bronze medal for Uganda. Historically, both Ethiopia and South Africa have posed significant challenges to Ugandan teams, making this victory even more remarkable. The trio's strong teamwork and individual skills played a crucial role in overcoming these tough opponents.

Uganda's table tennis success, highlighted by this recent win, underscores the country's steady rise to the top of Africa's table tennis scene and potential world stardom. Anyango, the reigning U11 Africa Continental Hopes Champion, played a pivotal role in the team's achievement, drawing from her championship experience earlier this year in Botswana.

The recent competition has also been crucial preparation for Anyango and Sir Joseph Sebatindira as they gear up for the World Hopes U11 Training Camp and Championship in Paraguay from November 1st to 8th. Both players qualified for this prestigious event from their impressive performances at the Botswana U11 Continental Hopes Championships earlier this year. They will depart for Paraguay this Saturday, traveling via Cairo, under the guidance of top Nakasero Table Tennis Club coaches Alvin Katumba and Tendo Balyewunya.

Additionally, Samuel Ankunda Mbabazi's standout performance in Ethiopia was a highlight, as Uganda’s Seed 2 defeated Africa Seed 8 and Tunisia Seed 1, Essid Wassim, in both the team and singles events. Ankunda’s victories over the highly ranked North African player demonstrate Uganda's rising talent and ability to challenge stronger, better-financed opponents from across the continent. This success is a testament to Uganda's growing prowess in table tennis and its potential to continue making waves internationally.