Kampala: South Africa’s Jacob Maliekal has won the inaugural Kampala International Badminton Open Championships in Uganda which climaxed on Sunday.
Fresh from winning a gold medal at the 2015 All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville, Maliekal defeated Africa’s top player Edwin Ekiring in an explosive final 2-1.
The South African who is ranked 90th in the world took the first game 21-8 before the Ugandan fought back to win the second 21-18.
The charged Maliekal who showed good movement on court and quick reflex in next play and shooting won the final game 21-10.
“It is nice to win again in Uganda after I won the Uganda International Open title early this year,” said Maliekal, who was the only foreign player in the tournament.
In the women’s singles, Africa’s forth best player Bridget Shamim Bangi stopped Daisy Nakalyango 21-15, 21-7.
In the men’s doubles Herbert Ebayo and Jacob Musisi saw off Alex Babu and Farouk Waya 21-16, 24-22. Ebayo was again in winning form when he paired with Daisy Nakalyango to win the mixed doubles title after stopping Davies Senono and Mable Namakoye 21-14, 21-7.
Nakalyango who was also part of Uganda’s team at the All Africa Games in Congo paired with Gloria Najjuka to beat Brenda Mugabi and Aisha Nakiyemba in the women’s doubles final 21-17, 21-11.
–Xinhua
