Uganda to Start Wheelchair Tennis Competitions Next Year
By Thomas Odongo
Beginning next year (2020), Uganda Tennis Association (UTA) will be organizing competitive wheelchair tennis events and tournaments in a bid to promote inclusion in the game and also harness potential for the disabled players.
UTA Chairman Cedric Babu announced the development on Wednesday during closure of the three day Wheelchair Tennis Development Program at the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) boardroom in Lugogo.
"It is a historic moment to hold the Wheelchair Tennis Development Program. It is heartwarming to see this happening," Babu noted adding: "next year we will host wheelchair tennis events in conjunction with the International Tennis Federation (ITF). We will include wheelchair events in our calendar."
The Wheelchair Tennis Development Program has been running since Sunday December 15. The program was facilitated by ITF wheelchair expert, Lawrence Karanja from Kenya at the Ramgharia Sikh Sports Club in Kati Kati Restaurant along Lugogo bypass.
"Wheelchair tennis has been active for about 30 years now. Other East African countries like Kenya, Rwanda and Eritrea already have it," event facilitator Karanja said adding: "it is a pleasure to introduce the game here. I see interest and hunger from players and coaches. I hope UTA will help spread the game further."
The introductory program was attended by 12 Play Tennis Coaches, nine tennis players and seven athletes from the Uganda Paralympics Association (UPA). Charles Mutebi one of the nine tennis players that attended the course says he is excited about introduction of the wheelchair tournaments in Uganda.
"This is really good news for all marginalized athletes. We have been wanting to hear this for a while now," he said.
Wheelchair Tennis is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. It is played in the same way as able-bodied tennis, though the only exception is that a wheelchair tennis player is allowed two bounces of the ball as opposed to a single bounce allowed for an able-bodied player.
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