Chiamaka Ekeh
Nine-year-old Jemima Nakawala is scaling new heights.
The table tennis prodigy at the weekend led Nakasero Primary School to an outstanding show in the Tanzania Table Tennis Open.
She won the best upcoming player’s award; U-16 title and senior women’s doubles in the three-day event in Dar es Salaam.
“Expect even better performance from this team. The sky will be the limit with even more international exposure,” said team official Mary Musoke.
Facing Daphine Musimenta and Uganda’s top seed Amina Lukaaya, Nakawala and Parvin Nangonzi, 11, easily cruised to victory in the women’s doubles.
But perhaps her best performance came in the senior women’s singles where she lost in the final to seasoned Lukaaya.
But even making the final was huge for Nakawala who was not yet born when Lukaaya first became one of East Africa’s top players.
Uganda’s third seed Rita Nekhumitsa and Tanzanian star Neema Mwaisyula were some of the big names that fell in Nakawala’s wake.
Nakawala is hoping to walk in the footsteps of her mentor Musoke who is a three time Olympian.
Musoke is one of the brains behind the Nakasero Primary School Tennis Academy.
Upcoming talent at the city school is moulded by some of Africa’s best teachers.
Nakawala was outstanding in Tanzania
Nakasero’s boys also made a good account in Tanzania beating some of East Africa’s best to also claim more silverware.
They dominated the U 16 boys singles where Sam Ankunda Mbabazi beat Phillip Napokooli 3-2 in the finals.
But tt was an all Kenyan affair in the men’s final as Brian Mutua beat Josia Wandera.
Nakasero were runners up in the mens team events after losing to City Eagles of Kenya.
Tanzania’s Kisutu Club beat Uganda’s Mimis Tables to win the women’s team event.
