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Africa Badminton News of    Ouganda
Uganda Badminton Association
William Tumwine , PO Box 20077, Kampala, Uganda
Telephone No: +256 41 254477
Fax No: +256 41 258350
Email Id: smugabi@hotmail.com
Website:
NEANT

 

   

VU DANS LA PRESSE .....  PERIODE SUR LA PAGE : 18/07/2007 à ce jour

 

Yonex Dutch Open 2008  Tournament days Period: 10/14/2008 to 10/19/2008

1/64° : 15/10/2008 09h20

Edwin EKIRING (UGA) - Jan VONDRA (CZE) : .. / ..    .. / ..   .. / ..

 

Edwin EKIRING 22/12/1983 - (24 ans)  - Africa-badminton 28/08/2008

Première participation Olympique pas convaincante ....

Edwin Ekiring (24 ans) classé N°1 Afrique et 95° mondial a été sélectionné le 17 juin 2008 par la Commission Tripartite, soit un mois avant sa première participation Olympique.
A l'issue du tirage au sort des tableaux du simple homme, il n'a pas disputé le match du 1er tour obtenant un Bye. Il est entré dans la compétition au second tour (32°) en étant opposé au coréen Sung-Hwan Park  N°11 mondial .
Mené 0/11 , puis 02/18 il a perdu le 1er set en 7 minutes sur le score de 05/21. Lors du second set, l'ougandais a marqué 2 points d'entrée de jeu pour de nouveau se faire distancer 02/11. Revenant à 06/13, le second set s'est achevé en 11 minutes sur le score de 08/21.
N°1 du simple homme africain, et bien que l'issue du match était connue, l'ougandais aura été très au-dessous de sa valeur en laissant le coréen le distancer de plus de 10 points lors des deux sets.

 

Tableau comparatif de l'évolution entre

Nabil LASMARI (ALG) & Edwin EKIRING (UGA)

(Période Octobre 2007 à Août 2008)
©africa-badminton 24/08/2008

Nabil Lasmari, classé 50° WBF fin octobre 2007 a été qualifié pour les J.O. de Pékin sur la base de son classement arrêté au  30 avril 2008 (97°) ne devançant alors son rival Edwin Ekiring (101°) de 4 places.

Fin mai 2008, Il est passé derrière l'ougandais, perdant de là même sa place de leader africain dans le simple homme avec deux places d'écart.

Fin août 2008, la différence entre deux les deux joueurs se situe à 14 places et le fossé qui se creuse devrait s'élargir vers le 15 septembre puisque l'algérien devrait même se retrouver à la 3ème place Afrique, devancé cette fois par le zambien Eli Mambwe.

Rappelons que Nabil Lasmari a très sévèrement été éliminé aux J.O., battu par Peter Gade dès le 1er tour (06/21 - 04/21) ce qui lui a fait enregistrer le plus bas résultat obtenu dans le tableau du simple homme olypiques 2008.

La course en tête pour le classement Afrique 2008 s'annonce d'ores et déjà palpitante.

 

PALMARES DU BADMINTON AFRICAIN EN SIMPLE HOMME AUX  J.O. PEKIN 2008
africa-badminton.com 11/08/2008

Le zambien Eli MAMBWE est le joueur africain qui a réalisé la meilleure performance
en marquant 32 points contre le français
Erwin KEHLHOFFNER (15/21 - 17/21).


L'ougandais Edwin EKIRING et l'algérien Nabil LASMARI n'ont pas été à la hauteur
des espérances du continent qu'ils représentaient. Ils ont été respectivement battus
sur les scores de (05/21 - 08/21) et (06/21 - 04/21).

 

SIMPLE HOMME
J.O. PEKIN 2008

RENCONTRES

SETS POINTS DUREE SUR COURTS
Clt Joueurs jouées Victoires Défaites # Gagnés Perdus # Marqués Encaissés # Présence
1°  MAMBWE Eli 1 0 1 -1 0 2 -2 32 42 -10 28'
2°  EKIRING Edwin 1 0 1 -1 0 2 -2 13 42 -29 19'
3°  LASMARI Nabil 1 0 1 -1 0 2 -2 10 42 -32 20'
  TOTAUX Hommes Afrique 3 0 3 -3 0 6 -6 55 126 -71 01h07'

Ekiring can do better in 2012  Davis Kamoga Daily Monitor Onlines Uganda 12/08/2008
It is so disheartening for an athlete of Edwin Ekiring’s caliber to exit the Olympics at the first hurdle. The badminton star has had enough exposure that no other Ugandan may ever get.
He is Africa’s top seed and has been in Europe for some time. But as luck would have it, he came up agianst a very tough opponent in Korean Sunghwan Park, losing in straight sets 21-5, 21-8.
The Korean is ranked number 11 in the world and for Ekiring to outlast him, it required a miracle. Maybe, If the Ugandan had faced a lower ranked opponent, he would still be in contention.
Nonetheless, he is young and talented and should now focus on 2012. He can do better in London.

Uganda: Ekiring Boosted By Solidarity Course   New Vision (Kampala)  12 August 2008 Norman Katende Beijing, China
DESPITE falling to world number 11 Park Sung Hwan in the badminton singles round of 32, Edwin Ekiring did enough to earn him a course that will improve his performance.
Ekiring is currently benefiting from an Olympic Solidarity scholarship.
The Badminton World Federation officials have been championing for the raising of standards of the game on the continent, and were excited that an African (Ugandan) flag flew at the Games.
"All the Africans have shown that they have gained the required experience and we do not want to lose them," said Cepahs Lar, the vice-president of the badminton governing body.

Ekiring was beaten by the world No.11 Park  Mark Ssali Beijing Daily Monitor Onlines Uganda 12/08/2008
Badminton result  Round of 32 S. Park (Kor) bt E. Ekiring (Ug) 2-0 (21-5, 21-8)  
It is two down and ten to go for Uganda after Edwin Ekiring was ejected from the Games of the 29th Olympiad here in Beijing yesterday. Ekiring, Africa’s top seed ranked 95th in the world, got gradually better as the match progressed but in the end was no match for 2008 Asian champion and world number 11 Sunghwan Park of Korea as he fell 21-5, 21-8 in straight sets, in 21 minutes.
It was a disastrous day for the continent’s top badminton players at the Bjut Gymnasium as Ekiring’s peers, Africa’s number two Nabil Lasmari and number three Eli Mambwe, had earlier fallen in quick succession on court two.
Algerian Lasmari was summarily dismissed 21-6, 21-4 by Danish Peter Hoeeg Gade and Zambia’s Mambwe got no reward for his show of guts and skill as he was edged 21-15, 21-17 by Frenchman Erwin Kehlhoffner.
After the previous day’s controversial elimination of weightlifter Mubarak Kivumbi who never made it to the mat, Ekiring was the second Ugandan in action and on the way out although he at least got to taste the action.
“He put himself under a lot of pressure and was very tense,” Ekiring’s coach Simon Mugabi said of his student who turns 25 this December. “Otherwise, he could have played better, as was the case in the second set after he had calmed down and taken some water during the break. The crowd was very huge and added to the pressure, yet if he had constructed his points better he would have benefited from a lot of support from the Japan fans who don’t like the Koreans.”
Ekiring was a bunch of nerves in the first set and trailed by as many as 17 points, but got stronger in the second, took the lead and at one time managed to force his opponent into the longest rally of the match which lasted 38 seconds and had 33 strokes.
Park’s reward for eliminating the Ugandan is a round of 16 date with the tournament’s top seed, China’s Dan Lin, who ousted Hong Kong’s Wei Ng 21-16, 21-13.

Edwin EKIRING ( UGA) OUT ...

Il perd le match sur le score de :
05/21 - 08/21

contre le coréen  PARK Sung-Hwan


Uganda: Tough Draw for Ekiring At Olympic Games The Monitor (Kampala) 3 August 2008  Innocent Ndawula
Uganda's first ever badminton representative at the Olympics, Edwin Ekiring, faces a tough draw at this month's Beijing Games.
Ekiring, who is the African top seed, will come face to face with world number one Lin Dan of China in the round of the last 16. The Ugandan ace will however first have to deal with the winner of the tie between Canada's Andrew Dabeka and Korea's Park Hwan Sung.
Ekiring though has a breather and time to study his opponents as the draw makers accorded the Germany-based player a bye in the first round while announcing the final draws for all badminton schedules at the Henan Plaza Hotel in Beijing.
Currently with a world ranking of 105, Ekiring will be the underdog when he locks horns with either Dabeka (ranked 35) and Sung (ranked 11).
In another development, the Ugandan contingent to the Olympics got a breather when Ekiring wrote mail to his local coach Simon Mugabi announcing that he would arrive in the Beijing on Tuesday. Team Uganda was worried that the youthful star would not make the Games in time after a lapse in communication but Ekiring cleared the air.
"Ekiring called me and said that he had stayed longer in Holland to finalise negotiations with his future employers as a badminton player.
He (Ekiring) was there playing badminton for them but he is now in Germany and he will be arriving here on Tuesday," a relieved Mugabi told Sunday Monitor.

Badminton star loses contact with team    Thursday, 31st July, 2008  By Norman Katende in Beijing, China New Vision Onlines UGA 01/08/2008
THE Team Uganda administration was last evening battling to get in touch with badminton star Edwin Ekiring and confirm his arrival date in Beijing for the Olympic Games.
Ekiring, who was expected to be in Germany at the High Performance Training Centre, was reported to have flown to the Netherlands for an international badminton championship and has since gone in communicado.
The competition was expected to have ended over a week ago, but Ekiring’s whereabouts remain unknown.
Badminton coach Simon Mugabi has spent the last three days frantically trying to get in touch with the player.
It was not until yesterday that he got in touch with one of Ekiring’s coaches at the training centre, who raised further alarm bells when he said that he did not know the racketeer’s whereabouts and that his cellphone was mysteriously switched off. But Mugabi put on a brave face amidst the gloom.
“We will keep on trying. What we are trying to do is to see that we confirm his arrival in Beijing in time so that he doesn’t get stuck at the airport,” he remarked. All accreditation validation is done at the airport, before the participants and officials are allowed to move into Beijing.
Even Chef de Mission Rogers Ddungu tried to call Ekiring’s German coach yesterday afternoon but got the same message. “We will keep on trying,” Ddungu said.
Already, the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) has been informed of the development and they too are striving to get in touch with the badminton star.
“For the time being, we are going to set his arrival date on August 4 as we try to get in touch,” UOC games coordinator Salim Musoke is said to have told the officials yesterday.

Uganda-Africa-Badminton   Uganda storms to the badminton finals in varsity games in Kampala   JM/daj/APA 12-07-2008
APA-Kampala (Uganda) Uganda on Friday evening stormed to the finals of the men’s badminton doubles and mixed doubles at the on-going Africa University Games at Makerere University in Kampala.
Uganda beat Botswana 2-1 in the first semi-final and lost 2-0 to South Africa in the other semi-final to book a place in the finals against South Africa due to be played Saturday at Makerere.
The hosts also booked a final place for another assured medal in the men’s doubles after walking over a South African, who pulled out due to an injury.
However Uganda will have to contend with South Africa again in the mixed doubles final.
Uganda’s qualification for the finals in the two events comes as a consolation for the side that lost all the men’s and women’s singles to South Africa which is grabbing the two gold medals.
Ugandans; Brian Suuna lost 0-2 to South African Brown and so was Benfield Mulumba by the same margin to Wian of South Africa. The story was the same for the Ugandan women, Margaret Nankabirwa who fell to Viljosen 0-2 and Norah Nasimbwa 0-2 to Land, all from South Africa.
 

Ekiring is new African top seed  Douglas D. Bugingo  Monitor Daily Kampala 28/06/2008

New rankings - Top seeds
E. Ekring (UGA) 13840pts
N. Lasmari (ALG) 13710
E. Mambwe (ZAM) 8134
C. Dednam (SAF) 4317
G. Okuonghae (NIG) 2902
V. Willem (SAF) 2337
W. Tukire (UGA) 2205

Uganda’s top badminton player Edwin Ekiring has entered record books of Africa’s finest by clinching top position on the continent, according to the newly released rankings.
Ekiring, who recently earned a deserved invitation by the World Badminton Federation (WBF) to take part in this year’s Olympic, tops the African rankings with 13,840 points, 130 points ahead of second placed Nabil Lasmari of Algeria.
Zambia’s Elly Mambwe - Ekiring’s partner at IOC Solidarity center in Germany, is ranked third with 8,134 points followed by Christoffel Dednam of South Africa and Nigeria’s Greg Okuonghae in fourth and fifth positions respectively.
Uganda’s other star Wilson Tukire is seventh with 2,205 points on the elite top ten list of Africa’s best. National badminton team coach Simon Mugabi who has tutored Ekiring since his childhood attributed the player’s new milestone to discipline and hard work.
“Ekiring has always wanted to work hard and achieve the best. He is also much disciplined because he knows that discipline is the key to success. I’m not surprised that his commitmentnduct has finally paid off greatly,” said Mugabi.

Ekiring Makes Olympic Grade The Monitor (Kampala) 19 June 2008 Innocent Ndawula & Douglas Bugingo
Africa's seed two Edwin Ekiring will be the first Ugandan badminton player to represent the nation in the quadrennial Olympics. Ekiring, also Uganda's top seed, earned the right to take part in the prestigious Beijing Olympics later this year after his impressive performances on the international circuit got a nod from the world governing body's officials.
Ekiring and Zambia's top player Elly Mambwe who is seed three in Africa, who have been based in Germany for the last four years courtesy of International Olympic Solidarity (IOC) scholarships didn't amass enough points to take part August games but got a 'Tripat Invitation' from the World Badminton Federation (WBF) because of their consistency and good performances on the globe.
"A Tripat Invitation is given to talented and performing players in Africa who fail to get enough points ahead of the Olympics but have been extraordinary in the events held. We (badminton fraternity) are happy for him because we know he will do well," national coach Simon Mugabi excitedly told Daily Monitor .

 

Les nouveaux Olympiques Africains .....

Edwin Ekiring (UGA) - Eli Mambwe (ZAM)
africa-badminton.com 19/06/2008

 

La Commission Tripartite en charge d'attribuer les invitations pour la participation aux prochains J.O. de Pékin a qualifié :


Edwin EKIRING (
Ouganda)


Eli MAMBWE (Zambia)

Ils rejoignent les neufs de la sélection déjà connue et portent donc à 11 le nombre des compétiteurs africains qui seront en lice pour le Badminton à Pékin en août prochain.

Chez les Dames, Hadia Hosny (EGY) et Kerry-Lee Harrington (RSA) n'ont pas eu la chance des hommes et sont  classées 1ere et 2ème sur la liste complémentaire.

Ebayo Spurs St. Margaret in Badminton   New Vision (Kampala) 17 June 2008 Norman Katende Kampala

HERBERT Ebayo and Shamim Bangi helped St. Margaret School and Taibah High cement their dominance in the schools badminton as the Picfare schools event concluded on Sunday.
Ebayo, who also lifted the boys U-18 title after beating Lubiri SS' Ivan Mayega 21-13, 21-16, helped St. Margaret beat Lubiri SS in two straight sets in the team category. St. Margaret also won the U-15 boys title.
In the girls' category, Our Lady of Good Counsel's hope of winning a title after over two years of waiting, was again left in tatters after Mariam High took both the U-15 and U-18 titles.
For Mariam High to stake their claims, the girls' U-18 and U-15 finals were a contest between the school's stars.
Shamim Bangi beat Jovia Kyomuhendo 21-19, 21-14 in the U-18 event, while Daisy Nakalyango beat Aisha Nandudu 2-1 in the U-15 category. Picfare sunk sh13m into the three-day tournament.

Picfare Event to Involve Foreigners  The Monitor (Kampala)  11 June 2008 Douglas D. Bugingo Kampala

This year's edition of the Picfare schools badminton tournament has been widened to include foreign schools. The annual event, that is strictly for school going children and starts June 13-15 at the Lugogo indoor courts, received a cash donation of shs12m.
The event coordinator Simon Mugabi, while addressing the press at a function where sponsors Picfare Group of Companies unveiled their package, disclosed that two schools from Nairobi have agreed to play.
"I have got confirmation from two schools from Kenya willing to send four players to take part in the event. They are yet to get in touch with me for the final up date," said Mugabi. Picfare have funded the event for the last 13 years.
The company's distribution manager Deepask Chadah said they are very willing to continue sponsoring the annual event because it's the only tournament on the Uganda Badminton Association (UBA) calendar that gathers school children.
Besides the financial boost, Picfare also donated 30 tins of shuttle cocks, 400 t-shirts, certificates and trophies. "The cash prize will go out to winners of the U-18 category while the trophies will be given to U-10, U-13 and U-15."

Nabil LASMARI (ALG) perd sa place de 1er en simple homme Afrique ....
C'est Edwin EKIRING (UGA) qui se positionne comme leader.
  
Africa-badminton.com 29/05/2008

Nabil LASMARI, qui occupait depuis de nombreux mois la place de 1er Afrique en simple Homme est passé à la seconde place lors du classement WBF du 29 mai 2008. C'est l'Ougandais Edwin EKIRING avec 354 points de plus (BCA) qui prend donc la place de leader.
Au World Ranking WBF du 29 mai, Nabil LASMARI occupe désormais la 101ème place avec 13250 points, derrière Edwin EKIRING classé 97ème avec 13840 Points.
La participation de Nabil LASMARI aux Volants d'or de Toulouse (France) devrait lui permettre de retrouver sa place malgré son élimination en 1/16° de finale contre l'indonésien Kusuma Stenny (192° WBF).
Lors du classement de fin juillet, il devrait perdre les 3000 points acquis le 19/08/2007 lors des 16th WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007.
Par contre, sa qualification aux Jeux Olympiques de Pékin 2008 devrait lui donner un nombre de points (en fonction de son classement) suffisants pour lui permettre de regagner la 1ère Place Afrique en Simple Homme.
La course pour la place de leader Africa est donc bien réelle entre l'algérien et l'ougandais.

Ekiring's Olympic Chances Dwindle   New Vision (Kampala) 14 May 2008 Norman Katende Kampala

CHANCES of Uganda's leading badminton ace Edwin Ekiring making it to the Beijing Olympic Games dwindled yesterday, after the Badminton World Federation (BWF) entered his name only on the reserves list for the men's singles.
Ekiring, who had broken into the top 100 in the BWF rankings, is now fifth of an eight-man team that is on standby.
"The following players (reserves) may qualify if the above (other top) players are not able to compete," read a BWF statement.
Ekiring's conqueror in the All Africa Games in Algeria, Lasmari Nabil, made it to the games as the best African ranked player. BWF rules call for each continent to be represented by its highest ranked player at the games in case they fail to get one during the selection process.
"Let's pray that something can happen. Only 38 players from the top 100 secured places," said national coach Simon Mugabi, who is currently in Jarkata attending the BWF general assembly.
Ekiring,24, is under the Olympic Solidarity programme that has sponsored him for over a year in the Germany academy.
The Ugandan, ranked 94th, failed to amass enough points from qualifiers for an automatic slot.

The road to Beijing 2008 - matches played since 2007 (W.B.F.)

BWF ID :
52645
GIVEN NAME :
Edwin
FAMILY NAME :
EKIRING
NAC :
UGANDA
GENDER :
M
DATE OF BIRTH :
 
Event Date
Event Name
Round
24 Avr 2008 VICTOR DUTCH  INTERNATIONAL 2008

Quarter-Finalist

17 Avr 2008 NIGERIA  INTERNATIONAL 2008

Semi-Finalist

30 Mar2008 KENYA  INTERNATIONAL 2008

Semi-Finalist

17 Mar 2008 PORTUGUESE INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

1/16

09 Mar 2008 CROATIAN INTERNATIONAL 2008

1/32

24 Feb 2008
MAURITIUS INTERNATIONAL 2008
Winner
27 Jan 2008
UGANDA INTERNATIONAL2008
Quarter-Finalist
22 Dec 2007
HELLAS INTERNATIONAL 2007
1/16
14 Dec 2007
VII ITALIAN INTERNATIONAL
Qualifier
05 Dec 2007
INDIA INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE 2007
Qualifier
18 Nov 2007
NORWEGIAN INTERNATIONAL 2007
Qualifier
04 Nov 2007
YONEX HUNGARIAN INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007
1/32
14 Oct 2007
CYPRUS BADMINTON INTERNATIONAL.
Quarter-Finalist
07 Oct 2007
BULGARIAN INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
1/32
09 Sep 2007
YONEX BELGIAN INTERNATIONAL 2007
1/32
02 Sep 2007
TURKIYE INTERNATIONAL 2007
1/16
03 Jun 2007
LE VOLANT DOR DE TOULOUSE - BLAGNAC
1/64
26 May 2007
ALL AFRICA CHAMPIONSHIPS
Semi-Finalist
20 May 2007
MAURITIUS INTERNATIONAL 2007
1/16
29 Apr 2007
POLISH INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007
1/16
22 Apr 2007
PORTUGUESE INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007
Qualifier
15 Apr 2007
VAN ZUNDERT VELO HOLLAND OPEN 2007
Qualifier
04 Mar 2007
CROATIAN INTERNATIONAL 2007
Qualifier
 

Ekiring Falls to Dane in Third Round of Dutch Meet New Vision (Kampala) 27 April 2008  Phillip Corry Kampala

UGANDA'S top badminton player and Africa's number two, Edwin Ekiring, was stopped in the third round of the Victor Dutch International on Saturday in Wateringen, Holland.
The Ugandan badminton star lost to Denmark's Emil Vind 21-15 21-12 in the third round of the last Olympic qualifier before the final rankings are released by International Badminton Federation on May 1.
"I am glad with his performance. He has improved in all the tournaments where he has participated," Simon Mugabi, Ekiring's coach said. "He has done enough to raise his ranking points to enable him qualify for the Olympics," Mugabi added.
Ekiring, who got a walkover in the second round, beat Germany's Sven Eric Kastensin in the first round 15-21 21-18 21-16.
He is ranked 103 in the world, with 13390 points. The ranking is expected to rise when the new listings come out next month.
Last week, Ekiring won two bronze medals at the Nigeria International Badminton Championships.
Victor Dutch International Third Rd results
E. Vind bt E. Ekiring 21-15 21-12

Ekiring Snatches Bronze in Nigeria New Vision (Kampala) 21 April 2008 Phillip Corry Kampala

UGANDA'S top badminton player Edwin Ekiring boosted his chances of qualifying for the Olympic Games by snatching two bronze medals at the Nigeria International. Ranked 107, Ekiring needs to jump into the top 100 in the world to stand a chance.
He now awaits the latest World Badminton Federation rankings before he competes in the final qualifier in Holland this weekend.
Ekiring fell at the semi-final stage in both the singles and men's doubles. He was beaten Alexandra Paixao from Portugal 21-14 11-21 22-19 in the singles and settle for a bronze medal.
His doubles team with Zambia's Elly Mwabe lost to the Nigerian pair of Greg Okunoghae and Akeem Oguhseye in the doubles semi-final. Ekiring has benefited from training abroad by the Olympic Solidarity. He early this year won the Mauritius International .
"He needs to do well in Holland. I am very optimistic but his fate will be decided when the new rankings are released to determine players who have won their tickets to Beijing," coach Simon Mugabi said.

Ekiring Snatches Bronze in Nigeria New Vision (Kampala) 21 April 2008 Phillip Corry Kampala

UGANDA'S top badminton player Edwin Ekiring boosted his chances of qualifying for the Olympic Games by snatching two bronze medals at the Nigeria International. Ranked 107, Ekiring needs to jump into the top 100 in the world to stand a chance.
He now awaits the latest World Badminton Federation rankings before he competes in the final qualifier in Holland this weekend.
Ekiring fell at the semi-final stage in both the singles and men's doubles. He was beaten Alexandra Paixao from Portugal 21-14 11-21 22-19 in the singles and settle for a bronze medal.
His doubles team with Zambia's Elly Mwabe lost to the Nigerian pair of Greg Okunoghae and Akeem Oguhseye in the doubles semi-final. Ekiring has benefited from training abroad by the Olympic Solidarity. He early this year won the Mauritius International .
"He needs to do well in Holland. I am very optimistic but his fate will be decided when the new rankings are released to determine players who have won their tickets to Beijing," coach Simon Mugabi said.

Nigeria Test for Ekiring  New Vision (Kampala) 14 April 2008  Norman Katende Kampala

VICTORY for Edwin Ekiring at the Nigeria International in Lagos this week will boost his chances of making it to the Beijing Olympics.
The All Africa Games medalist is ranked 107 in the world, and needs to break into the top 100 to stand a chance. Automatic qualification is only assured for the top 70, many of who are from the same Asian power-houses, which gives Ekiring a chance.
Ekiring had improved his International Badminton Federation standings from 104 to 101 before dropping due to inactivity.
"I should be able to break into the top 100 in the world after the Nigeria tournament," Ekiring said.

Ekiring fights for Beijing Olympics slot         Tuesday, 1st April, 2008 By Phillip Corry and Reuben Olita NewVision Uganga

UGANDAN badminton star Edwin Ekiring will continue his pursuit for points to qualify for the Beijing Olympics when he participates in the last leg of the African circuit, the 2008 Nigeria Internationals in Lagos, on April 17-19.
“We shall be sending a team to Africa’s last circuit event which gives our players the last chance to get ranking points,” Simon Mugabi, national badminton coach said. “We hope to send three players if we can raise the funds.”
Ekiring, All Africa bronze medallist, has participated in three circuits including the Uganda International, Mauritius International and Kenya international where he finished as a quarter-finalist, winner and semi-finalist respectively.
The prize money at stake in Nigeria is $5,000 (sh 8.5m).
The Ugandan will then proceed for the $15,000 (sh25.5m) Victor Dutch International set for April 24-27 in Wateringen, Holland.
Ekiring has gathered a total of 12310 points on the African badminton rankings, while his compatriot, Wilson Tukiire, is number ten with 2655 points.
At the Kenya International Badminston championships in Nairobi on Sunday, Ekiring was beaten by India’s Chetan Anand in the semis.

Ekiring in hunt for Beijing ticket in Nairobi Wednesday, 26th March, 2008 By Silvano Kibuuka NewVision Onlines Uganda

UGANDA’s top badminton player Edwin Ekiring is in Nairobi for the Kenya circuit due this weekend. The event is part of an international series lined up in six African countries.
The continent’s top names will from Nairobi move to Algeria, South Africa, Mauritius, Nigeria and then to Kampala.
Competitors will use the the Africa Badminton Federation sanctioned events to qualify for the Olympic Games due in  Beijing in August.
Ekiring, fresh from the international badminton training centre in Germany, is looking for a double success after winning the Mauritius International Open in February. Ekiring is the second seed in Africa and is ranked 104 in the world.
National coach Simon Mugabi said that Ekiring would qualify for the Beijing show if he is among the top 100 players after the international circuit.

Ekiring poised  Uganda News vision Onlines 05/03/2008
Ugandan badminton ace, Edwin Ekiring has boosted his chances of qualifying for the Olympics in Beijing, after winning the Mauritius International recently. He will qualify if he does well in the next two qualifiers. Ekiring beat Spanish star Carlos Long 2-1 (21-15 13-21 21-09) in a highly contested event in Rose Hill City. The event attracted stars from 13 countries including Ali Hossohan of Iran who beat Ekiring in the Roofings International in Kampala in January.

Taibah Sinks Sh4m in Badminton Tourney     New Vision (Kampala) 4 March 2008 Phillip Corry Kampala

TAIBAH Schools have sunk sh4m into the third event on the Uganda Badminton Association calendar.
"Taibah Schools will continue supporting badminton," said Oskar Semweya Muwanga, a principal at one of the Taibah Schools, at the launch yesterday of the tournament.
"We want to be known for excellency and to us sports is a very big ingredient to education," Muwanga added.
The Taibah tournament will be held this weekend at Lugogo indoor stadium.
UBA tournament director Simon Mugabi said that he was delighted with The Taibah group's commitment to the development of the sport among the youth especially at school level. Last year's edition had 450 players from various schools around Kampala participating in the event. This year's edition is expected to attract close to 800 boys and girls.
Thirty schools have so far registered for this edition and players will be vying for accolades in U-10, U-13, U-15, U-16 and U-18 crowns on both individual basis and team events.
UBA has so far held two events the Roofings International and the Aqua Sipi Badminton championships that where held in January and February respectively.

MAURITIUS INTERNATIONAL 2008
Rose-Hill (Maurice) 21 - 24 Février 2008

S.H.

Edwin Ekiring (Flag of Uganda Ouganda)

Ekiring wins in Mauritius  Douglas Bugingo Kampala Monitor Daily 25 February 2008

Final Ekiring  2-0 Carlos Longo Semifinal Ekiring  bt    Klaus Quarter final Ekiring  2-1   Nikil 
UGANDA'S top badminton player Edwin Ekriing yesterday won the Mauritius International Championship. The 21-year-old Ugandan upset three higher ranked players - Nikil Kencata of India, Italy's number one Raffeiner Klaus and Spain's Carlos Longo to win the event recognized by the World Badminton Association.
The Germany based Ekiring streamrolled through the qualifying rounds, before beating Kencata in the quarter finals. After a nervous start, he imposed his skill and determination to emerge a winner by two sets to one.
Ekiring fell 19-21 in the first set but won the next sets 21-13, 21-18 to book a slot in the last four. The Ugandan, who won a bronze medal at the All Africa Games in Algiers, Algeria last year, then beat Italy's Klaus in straight sets 22-20, 21-12 to storm the finals. 
He beat Spain's Longo by a similar margin to collect top honours.
He collected $50,000 or Shs85m and improved his chances of qualifying for the Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
“Ekiring has greatly improved his game and he has all the determination to top the continent. “This display is one of the signals that he is on his way to the continent's greats,” national coach Simon Mugabi said.
Ekiring was a big disappointment at the season opening Roofing Open in Kampala when he failed to make the last four.

Ekiring a wake-up call The Monitor (Kampala)COLUMN 25 February 2008

Edwin Ekiring is poised to break into badminton's top one hundred after his exploits in Mauritius.
The development of the young man's talent over the last year or so has been accelerated, thanks to the Olympic Solidarity scholarship that has seen him hone his skills in Germany.
A cursory inquest would tell you that programs like the one Ekiring is on are available in their hundreds, and all that our local federations have to do is spot worthy young talent and then chase after these scholarships for them.
If there was an Ekiring or two in each of our competitive sports disciplines on a program which is as good as it is free, the country would not struggle for medals at major events.
Tennis star Duncan Mugabe's progress is owed to a similar program in South Africa.
It is needless for me to return to the multi-pronged merits of international sporting success for the individuals involved, their federations, other aspiring youngsters and the country.
What continues to baffle and disappoint is how the men and women who run our federations close their eyes to such programs, and yet continue their petty and myopic squabbling over power and other embarrassingly trivial issues.

Uganda's Top Badminton Player Improves His World Rank  2008-02-10 21:38:11     Xinhua

Uganda's top ranked badminton player Edwin Ekiring has improved his chances of qualifying for the Beijing Olympic Games, as he raised his world rank by three places.
After the recent Roofings Kampala International Badminton Championship, where Ekiring lost in the quarter-finals, International Badminton Federation (IBF) revised his rank from 121st to 109th position.
"We were unlucky that he did not make it to the semi-finals. The higher the round, the more points you earn. We are hopeful that he might even make it among the top 100 if he takes part in more international tournaments," said leading local coach Simon Mugabi.
Ekiring, who is currently taking part in the Mukwano Aqua Sipi tournament, was expected to travel to Nairobi for the Kenya International Championships, but the post-election chaos in the country saw the organizers push it to a later date.
"We are now going to see whether he can make it to the Mauritius Open. We will see what the Olympic Solidarity has to offer," Mugabi was quoted by Sunday Vision as saying.
According to IBF regulations, the top ranked 70 men, with a maximum of two players from each country, will make it to the Olympic Games.

Top seed Ekiring is Aqua Open master Sunday, 10th February, 2008 By Phillip Corry  New Vision Olines

Aqua Sipi Open (selected results)
Men:
Ekiring bt Tukire 21- 17, 21-18
Boys U-15: D. Mihigo bt J. Lubega 21-14, 21-09
Girls U-15: D Nakalyango bt B. Mugabi 11-15, 15-6, 15-10

AFRICA’s number two player and Uganda’s top seed Edwin Ekiring lived to his status by winning the annual Aqua Sipi badminton Open on Saturday.
The Olympic Solidarity scholar cruised to a 21-17, 21-18 win over Wilson Tukire at Lugogo.
Ekiring’s superior game plan earned him the win.
Ekiring, due back at the Solidarity camp whose participants are gearing for the Olympic Games in Beijing in August, boosted his African ranking after the victory.
Ritah Namusisi claimed the women’s crown with a 21-9,21-13 victory in the sh5m Mukwano Industries sponsored tournament that attracted 200 participants. Winners in various categories walked away with cash prizes, trophies and certificates.
The event was the second on the domestic badminton calendar after the Roofing’s International Open.

FIRST OUGANDA INTERNATIONAL 2008
Kampala - Lugogo (Ouganda) 25 - 27 Janvier 2008

Tous les résultats  : Simple Hommes - Simple Dames - Double Hommes  (Source WBF)

S.H.

Kestutis Navickas (
Lithuanie)
S.D.

Agnese Allegrini  (
Flag of Italy Italie)

E. Ekiring
Flag of UgandaUGA

R. Rai
Flag of the United StatesUSA

J. Coleman
Flag of the United StatesUSA

B. Leverdez
Flag of FranceFRA

A. Alegrini
Flag of ItalyITA

P. Abian
Flag of SpainESP

L. Tavera
Flag of SpainESP

Y. Martinez
Flag of SpainESP

G. Daniel
Flag of NigeriaNIG

M. Gideon
Flag of NigeriaNIG

E. Mambwe
Flag of ZambiaZAM

M. Vasconceslos
Flag of PortugalPOR

A. Moura
Flag of PortugalPOR

R. Pacheco
Flag of PeruPER

C. Rivero
Flag of PeruPER

K. Raffeiner
Flag of ItalyITA

F. Lamy
Flag of PortugalPOR

S. Pohl
Flag of the United StatesUSA

P.W.Chung
Flag of MalaysiaMAL

C.Longo
Flag of SpainESP

K. Navickas
LIT

A. Paixao
Flag of PortugalPOR

O. Siamupangila
Flag of ZambiaZAM

A. Wogute
Flag of UgandaUGA

N. Karunaratne
Flag of Sri LankaSLK

T. Santos
Flag of PortugalPOR

S. Prutsch
Flag of AustriaAUT

K. Ludikova
Flag of Czech RepublicCZR

A. Shahhosseini
Flag of IranIRA

K. Foo-Kune
Flag of MauritiusMRI

H. Hosny
Flag of EgyptEGY

J. Komuhendo
Flag of UgandaUGA

Et beaucoup d'autres encore ........ (Source Africa-badminton.com)

Badminton winners display silverware     New Vision Onlines Monday, 28th January, 2008

It was an action packed weekend for badminton players as the local sport’s governing body, Uganda Badminton Association, hosted the Roofings International tournament. Above, the women’s singles runner-up, Claudio Rivero (left), and the men’s singles winner, Navickas Kestutis, pose with their silverware at Lugogo on Sunday .

Foreigners dominate Roofings Open  The Monitor (Kampala) 28 January 2008 DOUGLAS BUGINGO KAMPALA

LITHUANIA'S badminton star Kestotis Navickas and Italy's Agenes Allegrini produced excellent displays to win the respective men's and women's finals of  the Roofings Uganda Badminton Championship that ended yesterday at Lugogo Indoor Courts.
Navickas, 24, who is ranked 67th in the world, used his attacking game to register a 2-0 (21-19 and 21-13) victory over Sri Lanka's Niluka Karunaratine. 
Allegrini was equally imposing in the women's category, stopping Peru's Claudia Rivero with a 2-0 (22-20, 21-11)  victory. The winners pocketed Shs8.5m in prize money.
Uganda's flag in the finals was held by Wilson Tukire and Brain Ssuna but the duo fell in straight sets to Sri Lanka's Dinuka Karunaratine and Diluka Karunaratine.
In the mixed doubles, Portuguese pair Talive Santos and Alexandria Paixio beat Zambians Olgar Siamupangila and Elly Mambwa to be crowned champions.
Uganda's German based player Edwin Ekiring failed to make the finals after losing to Iran's Ali Shalihassein at the quarter-final stage.
Ekiring, who is seeded second in Africa had a good start with two wins against Peru's Pachero Rodrigo and Malaysia’s Pei Wee Chung.
The event that lasted for three days was the first ever-international badminton championship to be held in Uganda.

Kestutis, Agnese Win Roofings Titles    New Vision (Kampala)  27 January 2008 Kampala

UNSEEDED Navickas Kestutis of Lithuania and top seed Allergin Agnese of Italy were crowned champions of the inaugural Roofings Uganda Badminton international at Lugogo yesterday.
Kestutis, a member of the Olympic Solidarity training camp in Germany where Uganda's Edwin Ekiring is also based, stopped Sri Lanka's Niluka Karunaratine in straight sets (21-13, 21-16) to take the men's title.
"I am happy not only to come to Uganda but also to win," Kestutis said.
Ekiring lost to Ali Shahhossen of Iran in the quarter-finals of the three-day sh20m competition.

Ekiring star shines the brightest  by Norman Katende SundayVision (Kampala) 27 January 2008 Kampala

Ekiring was magnanimous after his victory

 




 


E. Ekiring bt P. Rodrigo (Peru) 2-1
E. Ekiring bt M. Vasconcelos (Portugal) 2-0

EDWIN Ekiring’s world ranking is destined to improve after he upset world number 42 Marco Vasconcelos. Ekiring won in straight sets at the Roofings Uganda Badminton International at Lugogo Friday afternoon.
The unseeded Ekiring, who is ranked 132 in the world, dispensed off the tournament seed two 21-18, 21-18 to set up a mouth-watering clash against Chinese-born Malaysian Pei Wee Chung in the third round. The event ends today with the finals at 1pm.
“It was a good game. He is improving fast,” said his coach Simon Mugabi as he congratulated the player.
The win followed an earlier dismissal of Peru’s Pachero Rodrigo, when he came from a set down to take the game 16-21, 21-18, 21-13.
“The coach has tapes of most of the stars and we really brain storm before any game,” an excited Ekiring revealed.
The Ugandan is hoping to get maximum points in the tournament that might help him qualify for the Beijing Olympic Games scheduled for August.

In Brief : Ekiring wins   New Vision (Kampala) Friday, 26th January, 2008

EDWIN Ekiring and Margaret Nankabirwa secured stunning wins in the second round of the Roofings Uganda International badminton championship at Lugogo yesterday.
Ekiring, who had earlier in the day recovered from a set and 11-15 down to eject Peru’s Rodrigo Pachero, this time beat world number 42, Portugal’s Marco Vasconcelos in straight sets. Quarter-final action is on today.

Ekiring Faces Peruvian     The Monitor (Kampala) 25 January 2008 Douglas Bugingo Lugogo

UGANDA'S top badminton player Edwin Ekiring faces seeded Pachero Rodrigo from Peru in the opening game of the Roofings Uganda International Badminton Championship this morning at Lugogo Indoor Stadium.
The event organised by Uganda Badminton Association and sponsored by Roofings to the tune of Shs20m has attracted 20 foreign countries.
Ekiring is ranked 121st in the world and was not seeded at this first ever worldwide tournament to be held in Uganda. Rodrigo is ranked 140th globally.
Spanish star player Pablo Abein and Portugal's Marcus Vaconcelos have been seeded first and second in the men's singles while Alluriani Anges (Italy) and Claudia Livero (Peru) are ranked first and second in the women's category.

German coach confident on Ekiring New Vision (Kampala) Wednesday, 23rd January, 2008 By Norman Katende

EDWIN Ekiring’s German-based coach, Croona Per Henrik, is confident that the Ugandan rising star will shine with more training and exposure.
The Swedish Henrik, who travelled to Uganda with Ekiring and over ten foreign players from the Olympic Solidarity academy, added that the sh20m Roofings Uganda International badminton tournament will help gauge Ekiring more.
“The performance has been improving though he has not had a chance to reach the semi-finals in any international events he has competed in against top class athletes in Europe,” said Henrik.
He added: “He has got on well with the basics and techniques. He will surely shine with a supportive home crowd.”
Ekiring, who had relaxed at Kampala Club, as Lugogo underwent final touches ahead of the championship, looked forward to a great event.
“I look forward to playing in front of home fans. I will give it my best, though there are many players ranked ahead of me. I will not to let you down,” said Ekiring.

Filipa Lamy no Open do Uganda Alvorada Online 2008-01-23 Filipa Lamy no Open do Uganda

Filipa Lamy, atleta de Badminton integrada no Projecto Pequim do Comité Olímpico de Portugal, seguiu hoje para Kampala onde disputará a edição deste ano dos Campeonatos Internacionais do Uganda.
Face ao cancelamento do torneio do Brasil, Filipa Lamy e o seu treinador Daniel Moura tiveram que incluir no calendário de provas pontuáveis para a qualificação olímpica a prova africana, que inicialmente não constava no seu calendário pessoal.
Quanto a quadros de jogos e listas de inscritos nada de concreto se pode avançar, visto que a Confederação Africana de Badminton não disponibilizou quaisquer documentos antecipadamente, conduta frequente nos restantes torneios.
Filipa Lamy inicia a sua competição no dia 25 de Janeiro disputando a primeira ronda, tendo como objectivo mínimo a chegada à meia final do torneio.
Antes de partir, Filipa Lamy afimou que "estou preparada para alcançar um bom resultado, procuro iniciar no Uganda um ciclo de competições e pretendo começar bem atingindo 1750 pontos. Contudo não conheço a lista de jogadoras inscritas no torneio, detalhe que dificultou a preparação do torneio por parte do meu treinador".

Roofings injects Shs20m into tourney  Douglas Bugingo Lubowa The Monitor (Kampala) 22 January 2008

ROOFINGS (U) Ltd yesterday handed over a Shs20m cheque to the Uganda Badminton Association. The money will be used to organise the Uganda International Badminton Championship which begins on Friday.
Company General Manager Naveen Krishnan handed over the package to UBA officials Simon Mugabi and Eric Byarugaba at a press gathering yesterday.  “Hosting an event to international standards is not so easy. There are many things that the sponsor and association have to go do. We believe that through this sponsorship, we can make the game popular," said Krishnan.
He will pair will former national champion Andrew Jackson Oryada to play in the men's doubles.
The three day event is sanctioned by the World Badminton Federation and will take place  at Lugogo. Top players, including German based Ugandan star Edwin Ekiring, USA's Raju Rai, Rodrigo Pacheco and Claudia Rweloro from Peru, Zambia's Elly Mambwe and Nigeria's Grace Daniel are already in the country to take part in the event.
“We expect 46 foreign players from 20 countries and we shall make the draws according to the players world rankings," event coordinator Mugabi said.

TOUGH battles are expected at Lugogo Indoor Courts when the Roofings Uganda International Badminton Championship gets underway on Friday.
Uganda Badminton Association (UBA) official Simon Mugabi confirmed to Daily Monitor yesterday that Germany based Ugandan Edwin Ekring was on the same plane to Uganda with players from USA, Peru, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Guatemala, Nigeria, Zambia, Australia, Estonia and Belgium.
"Ekiring confirmed to me that he had boarded SN Brussels together with players from those countries. We expect them to arrive here at 11 p.m. today and we have already notified our officials to pick them," Mugabi said yesterday.
Uganda's seed one, Ekiring will be seeking to better his position from 121 globally to the top 100 in order to qualify for the Olympic Games.

Uganda: Roofings Sink Sh20m in Int'l Badminton Tourney New Vision (Kampala) 22 January 2008 Norman Katende Kampala

PARTICIPANTS in the Roofings badminton International tournament will share a $5,000 (sh8.5m) prize package.
The money is part of sh20m Roofings Ltd has sunk in Uganda's maiden international badminton event, that has attracted players from 20 countries.
Company manager Naveen Krishman, yesterday handed over the package to badminton association secretary Eric Byarugaba at the company's headquarters. Krishman will be among the 64 players.

Ekiring due in New Vision (Kampala) 21 January 2008
Edwin Ekiring will lead a host of international stars, who arrive today for the Roofings International badminton tournament that starts Friday at Lugogo. The Ugandan top star was due to arrive in the country yesterday with 11 other stars, who he has been training with in the Germany academy. “That is the first batch of foreign players arriving. We expect others to come by Thursday, the day of the draws,” said the tournament coordinator Simon Mugabi yesterday.

Roofings Badminton Tourney Attracts 18 New Vision (Kampala) 13 January 2008 Phillip Corry Kampala


    Simon MUGABI (Ouganda)

PLAYERS from 18 countries have entered the Roofings Uganda International Badminton tournament slated for January 25-27 at Lugogo stadium.
"I can reveal to you that we have received a record entry of 18 teams for this Olympic qualifying tournament," the assistant referee Simon Mugabi explained.
"All participants especially Africans will use the ranking tournament to qualify for the Olympics in Beijing."
Mugabi added, "This is a landmark for this country and I am glad that such a ranking tournament is going to be held in this country for the first time."
"This is just the beginning and there could be another tournament of this nature later in the year."
The tournament has $5,000(sh8.5m) in prize money. It is the second highest prize-money ranking tournament in Africa after the Mauritius International worth $7,500(sh12.7m). Uganda's hopes lie on Edwin Ekiring, who is ranked 121 in the world.
Countries that have confirmed entry include Spain, France, Sri Lanka, USA, Italy, Portugal, Nigeria, Zambia, Malaysia, Iran, Peru, Belgium and Estonia.

US Stars Rai, Coleman for Roofing Open The Monitor (Kampala) 12 January 2008 Douglas Bugingo Kampala

United States of America and France are among the latest big guns to confirm participation in the inaugural Roofings Uganda International Badminton Championship due January 25-27 at Lugogo.
Uganda Badminton Association (UBA) official Simon Mugabi revealed to Daily Monitor that Italy, Belgium, Estonia, Guatemala, Lithuania, Nigeria, Australia and Czech Republic have also confirmed their entry.
This brings the number of countries that have so far registered to 17.
USA has entered two players - Raju Rai and Jennifer Coleman while France will be represented by one player - Brice Leverdez.
"Because it's an international event, all foreign countries make their registration through the Badminton World Federation and the world governing body makes sure they give me a daily update as the organising country," Mugabi said.
Italy's' duo of Rafin Klaus and Allegriania Agnes has also confirmed participation as well as Carlos Longo, Fabio Abian, Lucia Tavera and Yoan Matinez from Spain.
Other players expected to grace the event are Pei Wee Chang and Kaueh Mehrapi from Malaysia, Grace Daniel and Gideon Maria (Nigeria) and Africa seed three Elly Mambwe of Zambia.



Site Officiel JO 2008 (accès en Français)W.B.F. - OUGANDA
 

 FIRST OUGANDA INTERNATIONAL 2008

LUGOGO (Ouganda)
25 - 27 Janvier 2008

Prize Money : USD 5000

 

Ekiring Targets Uganda Event The Monitor (Kampala) 9 January 2008  Douglas Bugingo Kampala

GERMANY based Ugandan Edwin Ekring is among the big names that will participate in the maiden Uganda International Badminton Championship slated for January 25-27 at Lugogo.
The three-day event sanctioned by the World Badminton Federation is an international tournament and will double as this year's Olympic Games qualifier.
Ekiring, who won a bronze medal at the All Africa Games in Algeria last year and is ranked second on the African continent said he is keen to win the US$5,000 or Shs8.5m that is at stake for the champion.
"I will be arriving in Uganda on January 23. There is no way I can miss taking part in such a big international event. I have to play because I want to improve on my world rankings as well as winning the cash prize money," Ekring told Daily Monitor from his training center in Germany.
Top locally based players Abraham Wogute, Brian Ssuuna, Wilson Tukirwe and Ritah Namusisi are also undergoing intensive training with an aim of winnning top honours.
Participants are expected from Spain, Iran, Malaysia, Zambia and Peru.


Beijing Olympics Will Form Bedrock of Promising Year   New Vision (Kampala) 3 January 2008 Norman Katende Kampala

In badminton, Uganda's eyes will be on Edwin Ekiring, who has undergone training at a German academy. Ekiring already endorsed his credentials by winning a bronze medal at the All Africa Games.

Breakthrough Year for UBA  The Monitor (Kampala) 2 January 2008 Douglas Bugingo Kampala

THE year 2007 was quite a landmark in the Uganda Badminton Association (UBA) fraternity, generally. It registered the unprecedented achievement when our own Edwin Ekiring who is also the country's first seed and Africa's seed two opened Uganda's medal bracket at the All Africa games, held in Algeria, in July.
International respect

Ekring earned Uganda her first medal at the games when he finished third in the men's singles where he grabbed a bronze. He lost to Africa's seed three Elly Mambwe of Zambia. That was no mean achievement in the history of badminton. Ekring's medal preceded Moses Kipsiro's gold in athletics to make Uganda's medal tally at the games two.
The act of International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarding a scholarship to Ekiring to undergo training in Germany at Saarnburcaek Training Center ahead of the 2008 Olympic games is another achievement for UBA. As u read this review, Ekring is already settled in Germany enjoying with Luxberg badminton club as the first Ugandan player to play in the Germany league.
"He (Ekiring) got the IOC scholarship early this year and this was a big relief to UBA that was entirely funding his earlier programs to prepare for the Olympic games," national coach Simon Mugabi said.
Nomi no-show
The month of January though did not start off well as the biggest event, Nomi Open did not unfold as per the calendar. The lovers of the sport were consoled by the national trials. Mugabi who doubles as UBA events coordinator argued that the sponsors diverted their budgets to the Chogm preparations the reason why Nomi Open and other events in the months of February, September, October and November were not held.
March was quite successful as events took place as planned. The Taibah Schools championship slated for three days climaxed successfully at Lugogo indoor with Nakasero PS retaining the U-10 girls title.
St. Peters won the boys title in the same age group.
Other accolades went to Railway PS for winning the U-13 boys trophy, Nakasero (U-13 girls), St. Margaret College (U-15 boys), Mariam High (U-15 girls, U-18 girls) and Lubiri SS who won the U-18 boys category. Though there were no local events, April saw UBA sending a team of 14 players to Mauritius for the Mauritius International.
Ekiring, who joined the team from Germany, was in great shape, winning a bronze after falling to Africa's seed one Nabil Lasmari of Algeria in the semi finals. One day after Team Uganda connected to Nairobi for the Kenya International and finished third overall after being eliminated by a strong Nigerian side in the semi finals.
UBA's successful year rotated mostly around Ekiring. The 23-year-old lanky player solely carried the country's flag in May at the All Africa Senior Badminton Championships in Algeria. His performance was however not impressive as he got upset and bowed out of the tournament in the group stages.
Exciting battles
Competition on the local scene resumed in June with the Picfare Schools tournament at Lugogo. Powerhouse St. Peters PS dominated in the U-10 boys' and girls categories while Nakasero and Railways shared wins in the U-13 girls and boys respectively.
Mariam High won the ladies U-15 age group before St. Margaret College grabbed the boys' title.
July witnessed the national senior team captained by Ekiring take part in the All Africa games. Other players on the team included Abrahm Wogute, lady players Gloria Najjuka and Ritah Namusis.
Lack of funds denied the national U-19 team a chance to go to Botswana in August for the All Africa Junior Championship.
"Almost 90% of our budget depends on sponsorship especially from companies, that is why this year most of our arrangements got affected. Every company we approached for sponsorship said they were budgeting for Chogm and could not help.
"However in November we managed to send the senior team in South Africa for the South Africa International and Uganda was 4th out of 16 countries," Mugabi said.
Baroda Open held on December 14 climaxed the year with a superb event that attracted Kenyan players, though we still dominated the game.
Bright prospects
Ugandan players, Sarah Kyazike and Feda Faisal dominated the U-10 age group the same story was in the U-13 category where Lina Nalubega and Daniel Muhigo won. In the senior category (U-15), Bangi Shamim retained her title so was Daniel Muhigo in the boys' event.
Wogute and Rose Nakalya won the men and ladies events respectively to deny the Kenyans any silverware at the event."Many talents have been discovered this year and I'm sure if this can be maintained we can be a dominant force in Africa in the coming years," Mugabi said.
Ekiring and the national teams in the senior and junior categories have branded well UBA's name, Germany referee Herbert Otto revealed this while officially delivering an assortment of sports equipment donated by the Germany national team players to UBA at Kampala Club. The association also got another donation that contained 50 rackets, 100 tins of shuttlecocks and 20 nets from WBF.

2008 Calendar

January 25-27 Uganda Int
February 8-10 Nomi Open
March 7-9 Taibah Schools
April 25-27 Open Tournament
May 23-25 Open Tournament
June 13-15 Picfare Schools
July 18-20 Manji Int.Open
August 29-31 Open Tourney
Sept. 19-21 Open Tourney
October 9-12 Uganda Open
November 21-23 Zone V
December 12-14 Baroda Open

Archives 2007


Edwin Ekiring - Dutch Open 2006

Wogute Wins Baroda Open  The Monitor (Kampala) 18 December 2007 James Sekandi Lugogo

TOP seed Abraham Wogute cruised to a two-game straight win over Wilson Tukire to win the Baroda Badminton Open at Lugogo over the weekend. Wogute was always the better player but Seed Three Tukire put up a brave performance in the first set before losing 21-17.
But Wogute commanded proceedings in the second set, winning 21-11 to take home a Shs0.2m cash prize. "Such tournaments give us a chance to test ourselves besides keeping us in great shape," Wogute said. Adding; "Hopefully I can maintain the great shape for the forthcoming Uganda Open where we shall be facing some of the best players in Africa."
The ladies singles were tightly contested with Rose Nakalya scrapping past Anita Alube in straight sets 21-20, 21-18. Despite losing the final, Alube left with her head high, having dumped top seed Rita Namusisi in a three-set semifinal thriller. Alube lost the first set18-21 but overwhelmed the national team captain Namusisi 20-17 and 21-19 to book a place in the ultimate fixture.
In the mixed doubles, Tukire combined with Nakalya, overcoming Wogute and Naiga 21-15, 21-16. The three-day tournament that ended on Sunday was the last on this year's calendar before the Ugandan Open on January 25.
Men singles

Wogute bt Tukire 21-17, 21-11
Women singles

Nakalya Rose bt Alube Anita 21-20, 21-18
Mixed doubles

Tukire/Nakalya bt Wogute/Naiga 21-15, 20-18, 21-16

Wogute, Nakalya take Baroda titles   Monday, 17th December, 2007  New Vision of Uganda

A section of the winners of Baroda Badminton Open display the trophies after the prize giving ceremony at Lugogo on Sunday

BARODA BADMINTON OPEN
Men final
A. Wogute bt W. Tukire 2-0
Women final
R. Nakalya bt A. Alube 2-0
Doubles
Men: A. Wogute & B. Okumu
Women: Namusisi & Nakalya
Mixed: Tukire & Nakalya
ABRAHAM Wogute and Rose Nakalya lifted this year’s Baroda Open men and women titles in straight sets on Sunday, reports Norman Katende.
Wogute had to come from 11-6 down to take the second set 21-14 to be declared champion over Wilson Tukire at Lugogo. He had taken the first set 21-16. Baroda injected sh5m in the event. Nakalya went past Kenyan Anitta Alube, whom she beat in straight sets.
The winners also took the doubles title. Wogute combined with Brian Okumu and Nakalya paired with Rittah Namusisi.
Nakalya took home another title after she combined with Tukire to down Wogute and Agnes Naiga in the mixed doubles final. The event was the last on the badminton calendar. Next will be the Uganda International next month.
Other results: U-18

Boys: Ivan Mayega (Lubiri)
Girls: S. Bangi (Mariam HS)
U-15; Girls:
S. Bangi (Mariam HS)
Boys: D. Muhiigo (Rail’s PS)
U-13; Boys:
D. Muhiigo (Railways PS)
Girls: Nalubega (St. Peters)
U-10; Boys:
F. Feda (St. Peters)
Girls: S. Kyazike (St. Peter)

BANK of Baroda has increased its annual sponsorship towards the Baroda Badminton Open Championship from Shs3m to Shs5m.
Douglas Bugingo  KAMPALA Daily Monitor 13/12/2007
The Bank's Managing Director K.K Shukla (right) disclosed the development at a press gathering held at the bank's main branch on Kampala Road yesterday.
“We discovered that the event has grown to international standards because it attracts players from foreign countries. That is why we decided to increase on the package so that it can suit the budget of the organisers,” Shukla said.
This year's event scheduled for December 14 at  Lugogo Indoor Stadium will attract local players in the junior and senior category as well as foreign players from Kenya.
“Our Kenyan friends have confirmed their participation and will be sending a team of 20 players. Rwanda will not make it but promised to be here next year,” event coordinator and national team coach Simon Mugabi said.
Winners of the men's and ladies singles will pocket Shs 200,000 and Shs150,000 respectively while winners of the men's doubles will get Shs 140,000.
The ladies doubles champions will bag Shs130,000 and the same prize will be given to the winners of the mixed doubles.
Over 400 participants are expected to take part in the event that climaxes the Uganda Badminton Association local calendar.

National Badminton players set for All Africa under 15 Tournament     01/12/2007 UGANDA -WBS Reporter WBS-TV
Six National Badminton players led by national coach Simon Mugabi are due to leave for Pretoria South Africa tomorrow ahead of the All Africa under 15 Tournament scheduled for 2nd to 9th December 2007.  
While receiving an air ticket from Post Bank's Executive Director Operations James Karama, the national coach reveals that Uganda Badminton Association is grooming the youth for the national team.  
He commends Karama for the timely contribution to Shamim Bangi's trip to South Africa , saying that the number of players taking part in the All Africa Badminton Championships has raised to 10.   The Juniors who leave on Saturday include Herbert Ebayo, Rogers Bakaki, Jovia Komuhendo and Bangi Shamin.  
Speaking to Sports Scribes at Post Bank, Karama says, Ugandan players are limited to excelling in games because of lack of resources and pledged more support to Badminton.   Recently the bank bankrolled Uganda Pool Association to take part in the South Africa Pool Tournament.

Four for Africa U-15 badminton          Tuesday, 27th November, 2007   By Michael Nsubuga   Uganda The New Vision Online

Bangi (left) and Komuhendo will represent Uganda at the U-15 All Africa event

FOUR Ugandan junior badminton players will represent the country at the All Africa U-15 badminton championship in Pretoria, South Africa, Dec 2-9.
Bridget Bangi and Jovia Komuhendo of Mariam High School together with Rogers Bakaki and Herbert Ebayo of St. Margret High School Makerere, will compete with participants from over 10 countries.
Post Bank has facilitated Bangi’s travel with visa fees and an air ticket. National Council of Sports, Housing Finance, and Orient Bank have bailed out the rest of the team.
Post Bank’s executive director in charge of operations James Karama said the gesture was one way of instilling financial discipline among Ugandan sportsmen and women with talent but lack resources to realise their potential.

Four for Africa U-15 Badminton   New Vision (Kampala) 27 November 2007 Michael Nsubuga Kampala
FOUR Ugandan junior badminton players will represent the country at the All Africa U-15 badminton championship in Pretoria, South Africa, Dec 2-9.
Bridget Bangi and Jovia Komuhendo of Mariam High School together with Rogers Bakaki and Herbert Ebayo of St. Margret High School Makerere, will compete with participants from over 10 countries.
Post Bank has facilitated Bangi's travel with visa fees and an air ticket. National Council of Sports, Housing Finance, and Orient Bank have bailed out the rest of the team.
Post Bank's executive director in charge of operations James Karama said the gesture was one way of instilling financial discipline among Ugandan sportsmen and women with talent but lack resources to realise their potential.
 

Ekiring beaten to bronze Wednesday, 17th October, 2007  By Norman Katende

Cyprus International results
Q/finals
C. Anand bt E. Ekiring 2-0
8th round
E.Ekiring bt N. Lasmari 2-1
7th round
E. Ekiring bt M. Kronborg 2-1
Bulgaria International
Fourth round
E. Ekiring bt V. Paskov 2-0
Quarter-final
J. Frohlich bt E. Ekiring 2-0
EDWIN Ekiring missed out of a bronze medal, but was contented when he beat All Africa Games gold medallist Nabil Lusmari from Algeria in the Cyprus International badminton Open over the weekend.
Lusmari stopped Ekiring in Algeria at the semi-final stage, leaving Ekiring to come back home with a bronze medal from the games.
However in Cyprus, the unseeded Ekiring had to fight on and dispense off Lusmari, the tournament’s fifth seed, 2-1 (21-14, 18-21 and 21-16), to book a quarter-final berth after 40 minutes of action.
Ekiring could however not go past second seed, Indian Chetan Anand in the quarter-final, the Ugandan falling 2-0 (21-10, 21-14).
It was the second time in two weeks that Ekiring was denied a semi final berth from a top seed.
The first was in the Bulgarian International when he lost 2-0 to tournament seed two Jan Fronlich from the Czech Republic on October 5.

Ekiring Signs for German Club  The Monitor (Kampala)  27 September 2007 Douglas Bugingo Kampala
ALL Africa Games bronze medallist Edwin Ekiring has signed to feature for Luxemburgish in the Germany Badminton League. This was revealed by national badminton coach Simon Mugabi.
He told Daily Monitor that the lanky Ugandan number one has signed a one-year deal with the side.
"The club made consultations with us and there was no obstacle hindering the player from joining them. The federation is happy about the move because this will help the player keep active," Mugabi said.
The former Sharing Badminton Club star is in Germany on an Olympic Solidarity Course ahead of next year's Games in Beijing, China. He has been in Germany since January and becomes the first Ugandan badminton player to play in a professional league.
Meanwhile, German national team players have made a donation of badminton equipment to the Uganda Badminton Association.
The consignment includes over 50 rackets, T-shirts and shoes. A Germany Embassy representative, Herbert Ott made the official hand over of the consignment to Mugabi at Kampala Club on Tuesday.

L'Ouganda va accueillir le Championnat international de badminton OUGANDA ...

L'Association ougandaise de badminton (UBA) va accueillir son premier événement international : le Championnat international de badminton en début d'année prochaine du 25 au 27 janvier 2008 au stade couvert de Lugogo, Kampala. ... 

L'Ouganda va accueillir le Championnat international de badminton OUGANDA - 19 septembre 2007 - XINHUA
L'Association ougandaise de badminton (UBA) va accueillir son premier événement international, le Championnat international de badminton en début d'année prochaine. "Notre proposition d'organiser le tournoi international a été acceptée par la Fédération internationale de badminton", a déclaré avec enthousiasme Simon Mugabi, coordinateur national de Badminton. "Nous avons lancé cette offre il y a quelques années et enfin, notre lobbying a porté ses fruits", a déclaré M. Mugabi, cité mercredi par le journal local New Vision.
Le tournoi, premier du genre organisé en Ouganda, coûtera 18 millions de shillings ougandais (soit environ 10 600 dollars américains).
Le prix global est de 8,5 millions de shillings ougandais ( environ 5 000 dollars).
Les plus grands joueurs de badminton du continent et du reste du monde participeront à cet événement, qui aura lieu du 25 au 27 janvier au stade couvert de Lugogo, Kampala.
Le médaillé de bronze des Jeux africains, Edwin Ekiring, qui s'entraîne actuellement en Allemagne en préparation des Jeux Olympiques de Beijing, participera également à cet événement sportif.
Roofings Uganda, entreprise leader qui soutient le développement du badminton en Ouganda, sera le sponsor officiel de ce tournoi international.

Uganda: Uganda to Host International Badminton Rating Tournament - New Vision (Kampala) 18 September 2007 Phillip Corry

UGANDA Badminton Association is bracing to host an international event, the Uganda International Badminton Championship next year.
Roofings Uganda, a leading company that supports badminton development, will be the official sponsors of the world-ranking tournament.
The biggest event on the local calendar is set for January 25-27 at Lugogo Indoor Stadium.
"Our bid to host the world ranking tournament has been granted by Badminton World Federation," an excited Simon Mugabi, the national badminton coordinator said.
"We placed the bid some years ago and finally our lobbying has paid off."
The tournament, the first of its kind in Uganda will cost sh18m to organise. The total prize money is $5,000(sh8.5m).
The men and women singles, doubles and mixed doubles will share the cash prizes.
Top badminton players on the continent and the world will grace the event.
All Africa games bronze medallist Edwin Ekiring, undertaking training at the World training centre in Saarbrucken, Germany for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, will participate in the tournament.
Roofings, sponsors of the annual Roofings Open badminton tournament, are already working around the clock to fund the event.

Uganda Open Badminton Championships accorded the international status   WBS Reporter | WBS-TV  Ouganda 05/08/2007
The Uganda Open Badminton Championships has been accorded the international status during the Africa Badminton federation technical meeting held today in Algiers - Algeria.  
Uganda ’s national coach Simon Mugabi who attended the meeting says this is a blessing to Uganda Badminton players who have been lagging behind in the World rankings.  
Besides the rankings, players will gain a lot of experience when they take on experienced players from the African continent and Europe. The Uganda open is set for January 2008 in Kampala with many African and European nations expected.  
The federation also gave Botswana a chance to host the All Africa Junior badminton Championships that will be held in Gabarone from 16 th to 26 th August this year where Uganda will take part.  
In today’s singles Edwin Ekiring and Abraham Wogute, qualified for the third round after getting a bye in the second round while Gloria Najjuka lost in the ladies singles.  
Wogute eliminated Ethiopian Tewodoros in straight sets 21-12 and 21-10 while Ekiring ejected Salah of Egypt 21-10 and 21-13.

Ekiring
Edwin
Wogute
Abraham Kennedy
Najuka
Gloria Cathrine
Namusisi
Rita
Ekiring showed glory in small sports  Thursday, 19th July, 2007  New Vision Online Uganda
By James Bakama and Norman Katende



Age: 23
World Ranking: 133
African Ranking: 2
Accolades: All Africa Games Bronze medallist;
Africa Badminton Championships Bronze medal


AFTER years of benefiting from the Olympic Solidarity training programme, preparing for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Edwin Ekiring has started proving his worth at international level.
The Kampala Club player, also USPA badminton Player-of-the-Year, has stood out on the local scene. He has not lost a set in the last three years. He has even taken his challenge higher by taking on not only the continents but the worlds best.
His performance at international level has brought a ray of hope for the hitherto small sport.
Ekirings racket technique was boosted by the training stint in South Africa. He is currently in the high training centre in Germany.
He is the most exposed Ugandan player currently and has had a chance of playing against the world top brass in either training or international tournaments. This has helped him gain experience in international competitions and giving him a better approach to the game, his coach Simon Mugabi said of the player, who is set to celebrate his 23rd birthday on December 28.
His approach to the game has greatly improved as exhibited at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games where the world body  The International Badminton Federation  reviewed him as the new badminton wonder-kid on the continent.
His appearing could not be reflected better than the experience Ekiring has had after in international tournaments like the Hungary Invitational, Dutch Open and Scottish Open. He was stopped in the second round in both the Hungary and Scotland events, and in the fourth round in the Dutch Open. In Scotland, he was beaten by Stephen Vaughan, the player who had beaten him in the finals of the Kenyan Open.
Meanwhile, the world badminton body has granted Uganda an international ranking tournament.
The good news was announced yesterday at a IBF meeting in Algiers, also attended by Mugabi.
This is a big boost for Uganda, noted Mugabi explaining that Ugandan players without an opportunity to feature in such tournaments abroad, now have a chance to score points locally.
The annual tournament will be called the Uganda International. The first edition will be staged in January at Lugogo.

Ekiring redeems Uganda with Tennis medal Wednesday, 18th July, 2007 New Vision Online Uganda By James Bakama in Algiers

Ekiring ensured Uganda wouldn’t return empty-handed.

 

Results
badminton
Q-final

E.Ekiring bt W. Viljoen (RSA) 21-14, 21-10
3rd round
Ekiring bt G.Okonghae (NIG) 21-9, 18-21, 21-9
L.Nabil(Alg) bt A.Wogute 21-5, 21-8
Today
Semi-final 11.00am

Ekiring v E.Mambwe (Zambia)

badminton singles player Edwin Ekiring has finally given Uganda something to smile about. Ekiring showed the benefit of his Olympic Solidarity training in Germany by beating the top seed from Nigeria, Greg Okonghae — on his way to the medal-bracket semi-finals.
Like in boxing — where Uganda had a rather forgettable campaign — there are four medals won in badminton with the semifinal losers assured of bronze.
Ekiring will today take on Elli Mambwe in the last four to try and get into the gold and silver medal bracket.
Mambwe (ranked 139th in the world) and Ekiring (133) are both Olympic scholarship beneficiaries in Germany.
“I told him to engage Willem Viljoen in an attacking game and he did exactly that,” Ekiring’s coach Simon Mugabi said.
+Commonwealth 10,000m champion Boniface Kiprop will be seeking his first All Africa Games medal at 10pm tonight. He finished fourth in 2003.
Earlier, a muscle pull had sprinter Stephen Odwar failing to advance from the 100m heats. Benjamin Kiplagat was also blown away by the 3000m SC field.

Uganda national badminton coach names the final squad of 4 players for the All Africa games 
WBS Reporter | WBS-TV OUGANDA   ../07/2007
The Uganda national badminton coach Simon Mugabi has named the final squad of 4 players for the All Africa games that begin next month in Algeria capital Algiers. Uganda ’s top seed Edwin Ekiringi and second seed Abraham Wogute make up the men’s team while ladies number one Riita Namusisi and seed two Gloria Najjuko form the ladies side.
Mugabi says all the 4 players are well experienced especially Ekiringi who has a lot of experience at international tournaments having won a bronze at the All Africa championship this year. Ekiringi is apparently in German for a coaching course and will link up with his teammate’s days before departure.
Mugabi named the squad at the closing of the week long national badminton open championship at Lugogo which saw St Peters primary school taking the under 10 boys and girls team event titles. Nakasero took the girls under 13 team event trophy while Railway primary school lifted the girls award as the under 15 girls went to Mariam High for keeps with St Magret winning in boys.
Lubiri SS scooped the under 18 boys accolade with Kadijja Apollo emerging best under 18 girls individual players.