The Uganda national wood ball team, the sole representative from Africa woke up on the wrong foot of day four as only one out of the 8 women and 6 men qualified for the finals of the Chinese Open at the 6th wood ball world cup in Sanya, China. From onset nothing favored team Uganda as local seed one Lillian Zawedde had to seek for medical attention as she woke up with malaria that kept her out of the mid-morning event.
Entebbe Woodball Club’s Flavia Navubya was the only Ugandan player who sailed through to the finals of the Chinese Open after a tight contest with Thailand’s Pornpimon Buaklang whom she managed to beat by 49-51 strokes in 12 gates respectively. The rest of the team members fell to countries that included Thailand, China, Chinese Taipei, Vietnam, Singapore and Hong Kong.
“Thailand has got experienced players who have played wood ball for so many years but I had to put all that behind me to reach the finals, I thank the Lord,” explained a cheerful Navubya.
Focus turns to World cup Competitions
However on a much positive note, Uganda managed to squeeze-in two representatives in the Mixed Double finals of the stroke competition. Ndejje University’s Atamba Onesmus & Ndejje wood ball club’s Namuddu Sophia topped their group which included pairs from Thailand, and Singapore with 54 strokes whereas Godfrey Bukenya of St. Joseph’s tech. institute & Ndejje University’s Viola Operu hit 51 strokes in 12 fairways.
Today the Stroke Competition Mixed Double final, Stroke singles final will be played. The competition will close off tomorrow with the awarding ceremony and an Internationals referee’s workshop that has been going on for the last three days.
