KAMPALA, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Uganda has named a team of ten players to take part in the 2026 All Africa Senior Badminton Championships next month in Gaborone, Botswana.
Uganda Badminton Association CEO Simon Mugabi told Xinhua on Monday that the team was selected after holding national trials to determine the best players.
"We had national trials among over 35 best players in the country, and those who excelled have been selected to be part of the team. This championship is also the qualifier for the continental stage tournament of the Thomas and Uber Cups," added Mugabi.
Africa's top ranked female player and world number 118th Fadilah Shamika Mohamed Rafi will be one of the players to lead Uganda's team at the competition.
Although Uganda will miss the services of injured Husina Kobugabe, who is ranked fourth in Africa, the women's teams will feature the likes of Tracy Naluwooza, Glady Mbabazi and Kruthum Nalumansi.
Uganda's top men's player Muzafaru Lubega, who is ranked 15th in Africa, forms part of the men's team along with Reagan Nsubuga, Akbar Oduka, Arafat Tendo Kibirige and Dennis Mukasa.
"We are training seriously because we know all the top players in the continent will be determined to perform well in Botswana to qualify for the Thomas and Uber Cups," Lubega told Xinhua after training at Kampala Club on Monday.
In addition to Uganda, other nations taking part in the competition include Morocco, Egypt, Mauritius, Nigeria, Algeria, Zambia and South Africa. ■
