By RONALD CHAWE –
THE jinx prevailed again as the Egyptian pair of Doha Hany and Hadia Hosny, for the third time, denied the Siamupangila sisters Ogar and Evelyn from winning gold.
As was the case in the past three finals, the pair faced their nemesis again but this time at the Uganda Badminton Open, losing in two straight sets in the women doubles on Sunday.
The Zambian duo suffered a 21-10, 21-10 defeat against the Egyptians, who have dominated for the last two years at major international championships with the other defeats coming at last year’s Zambia and Botswana International Open tournaments.
The doubles final was an exciting affair especially after the four players got dumped out of the ladies singles earlier than expected.
Ogar expressed happiness with her performance and how it enhanced her chances of making the World Championship in Scotland.
“Honestly, we were tired after beating a strong team from Jordan in the semi-finals. But I am happy that we have improved our chances of qualifying for the World Championship as continental representatives,” she said.
The sisters sponsored themselves to Uganda after Badminton Zambia failed to secure funding for their trip.
Meanwhile, Egyptian players Ahmed Salar and Menna Eltanany also took gold in the mixed doubles finals after defeating the Jordanian pair of Bahaedeen Ahmed and Domou Amro in three sets with set scores of 16-21, 21-12 and 21-19.
The host country only managed to win gold in the ladies singles category through Bridget Bangi, who beat Amro 21-9, 21-16.
The men’s singles title went to Mauritian Georges Paul, who was seed one, after he silenced Uganda’s Edwin Ekiring, the tournament seed two with the latter retiring after twisting his ankle at the end of the second set.
India through Francis Alwin partnering Kona Tarun got the men’s doubles gold after beating Mauritian’s couple of Aatish Lubah and Paul 21-8, 21-10.