Ugandan team sets off for 2017 Lagos Int'l Badminton Open

KAMPALA, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Uganda's team of four players on Monday departed for the 2017 Lagos International Open Championships which runs from Julu 26-29 in Lagos, Nigeria.

The country's top female player Shamin Bangi told Xinhua before departure that she will use the opportunity to improve her international ranking.

Bangi, who has represented Uganda in two Commonwealth Games in India and Scotland, said that although she is aware of tough competition, she has prepared well.

Aisha Nakiyemba together with Jacob Musisi and Herbert Ebayo are the other players on the Ugandan team.

"These are the kind of tournaments that give us exposure with top players. This is a chance for our players to perform," Simon Mugabi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Badminton Association, said.

Uganda's top male badminton player Edwin Ekiring, who has featured in the last two Olympic Games and plies his trade in Holland, will miss the event.

Mugabi said Ekiring opted not to take part in the Championship because of a busy schedule with his club.

The world 50th-ranked player from Isreal Misha Zilberman along with Rosario Maddaloni (Italy), Ruhul Yadav Chittaboina (India), Duarte Nuno Anjo (Portugal) and Thilini Pramodika Hon Dahewa (Sri Lanka) are among the foreign players from outside Africa who will take part in the competition.