Uganda’s youth table tennis team returned home with a string of medals after an impressive campaign at three major continental tournaments held in Lagos, Nigeria between July and August.
The seven-player squad, led by coaches Katumba Alvin and Balyewunya Tendo Mary, took part in the Africa Hopes Week & Challenge (20–25 July), the ITTF African Youth Championships (27 July–3 August), and the ITTF African Youth Cup (4–5 August).
Across the competitions, the youngsters delivered standout performances, announcing Uganda’s growing strength in the sport.
At the African Youth Championships, the U15 girls’ team produced the highlight of the tournament by clinching gold and being crowned African champions. Individual brilliance was also on display, with Sebatindira Joseph Francis winning gold at the Africa Hopes Challenge before adding bronze medals in the U15 boys’ doubles and U15 mixed doubles. His teammate, Anyango Patience Omwero, struck gold at the Hopes Challenge and added bronze in the mixed doubles category.
In the U19 girls’ doubles, Nakawala Jemimah and Nangonzi Judith Parvin secured silver, while Nsereko Sharif bagged three bronze medals across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.
The African Youth Cup capped off the team’s successful run. Sebatindira emerged champion in the U15 boys’ singles, with Nsereko Sharif taking silver in the same category. Nakawala also impressed, finishing with silver in the U15 girls’ singles.
Uganda’s medal haul across the events underlined both individual talent and team cohesion, giving the sport a strong push forward at grassroots level. The performances also reflect the steady progress being made in nurturing young players to compete against the best on the continent.
