Dickens Otim and Isaac Omedo learnt right from Cairo in March that their National side pairing could pay off on the local scene if they remained partners. Two months later, they lifted the 2nd leg of the Castle Lite National Beach Volleyball Tour at Lido Beach Entebbe on Sunday, stopping a threat from the new pairing of Isaac Ongom and Rwandan Mbonyuwantuma Jean Luc (2-0)
21-15, 23-21.
Before the semifinals the Ongom and Jean pair beat Uganda’s Under-21 Karthbert Malinga and Elias Isiagi in a tight start (2-0) 24-22, 21-14 while the champions had similarly ended Deo Nsereko and Henry Bbaale’s notch at the day’s Gold with a (2-0) result 21-13, 21-18.
In the women’s Category, Christine Alupo and Peace Busingye returned to winning ways pairing for the first time this year on the local scene beating new pair of Eunice Amuron and Sharon Pajije in straight sets (2-0) 21-12, 21-16. Alupo and Busingye were part of the Uganda squad that attempted the world cup qualification in Egypt two months ago.
Alupo and Busingye pair stopped Diana Businge Agaba and Saidat Nnungi at the semifinals (2-0) 21-13, 21-11 while Eunice and Sharon denied progress for new kids on the block Kenyan Lillian Wanjiku paired with Moreen Kashemire (2-0) 21-07, 21-06. The latter finished in second place in Saturday’s qualification round.
The organizers were forced to call in the circumstantial clause of the National Tour regulations in light of bad weather compromising the playing area reducing the usable courts to two from four. The event dropped the second round phase and entered directly into the semifinals stage after the preliminaries. 39 teams took part in the two day competition with eight of these directed entered for the Sunday main draw.
The awards ceremony was presided over by the President of the National Federation Mr. Sadik Nasiwu. It was also a good opportunity for the Under-21 ladies squad that is preparing for All Africa Games in Brazzaville to pick a leaf from the seniors. Both teams of Faith Magole / Esther Tumwebaze and Dinah Akello / Joan Babirye took part in the Saturday qualifiers although they didn’t make it to the top four of the main draw. Coaches will now tune them for the next Tours in July and August alongside regular friendly games with a variety of opponents before selecting the final pair to Congo.
Results:
Semifinals
Christine Alupo /Peace Busingye beat Diana Agaba / Saidat Nnungi (2-0) 21-13, 21-11
Eunice Amuron / Sharon Pajije beat Lillian Wanjiku / Moreen Kashemire (2-0) 21-07, 21-06
Isaac Ongom & Mbonyuwantuma Jean Luc beat Karthbert Malinga & Elias Isiagi (2-0) 24-22, 21-14
Dickens Otim /Isaac Omedo beat Deo Nsereko / Henry Bbaale (2-0) 21-13, 21-18
Finals
Christine Alupo /Peace Busingye beat Eunice Amuron / Sharon Pajije (2-0) 21-12, 21-16
3rd & 4th place playoffs
Diana Agaba / Saidat Nnungi beat Lillian Wanjiku / Moreen Kashemire (2-0) 21-15, 21-14
Deo Nsereko / Henry Bbaale beat Karthbert Malinga & Elias Isiagi (2-0) 21-13, 21-13
