The race for valuable international ranking points got underway in Kampala on Thursday as the Uganda International Series opened at the Lugogo Indoor Stadium with 115 players from 14 countries.
The four-day tournament, running until Sunday, October 4, has attracted a strong Ugandan contingent of 67 players, alongside competitors from across Africa and beyond.
With points contributing towards qualification pathways for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games and the 2027 World Championships, the event provides an important competitive platform for players seeking to improve their world rankings.
Thursday’s programme was reserved for the qualification rounds, from which eight players progressed to the main draw scheduled to begin on Friday.
The main draw will feature Round of 32 action in the men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles categories.
Uganda’s campaign will come under particular focus as its players take on both domestic rivals and international opposition.
In the women’s singles, Meble Namakoye will face compatriot Rebecca Nakiyinji, while Algeria’s Yasmina Chibah takes on Uganda’s Dhruvi Sagar. Olivia Nakajja will meet Nigeria’s Khadijah Opeyemi.
The men’s singles draw will see Reagan Michael Nsubuga face Malaysia’s Yu Sheng, while South Africa’s Caden Kakora takes on Uganda’s Ismail Mungufeni. Algeria’s Adel Hamek will play Uganda’s Shilton Tayebwa.
The opening day also produced several all-Ugandan encounters in the men’s singles qualification, with Fredrick Kadoli defeating Kotecha Harshil Hemal 21-9, 21-8, while Rahim Nsubuga beat Muhammad Amaar 21-8, 21-13.
Bruno Agaba overcame fellow Ugandan Rayan Mutesasira 21-16, 23-21, while Malaysia’s Shenson Chia defeated Uganda’s Abu Althaf Ansari 21-8, 21-8.
With the qualification phase now complete, attention shifts to the main draw, where Uganda’s large contingent will seek to convert home advantage into strong performances against an increasingly competitive international field.
The Uganda International Series continues at Lugogo through the weekend before concluding on Sunday.
