By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE –
ZAMBIA’S top female badminton player, Ogar Siamupangila has threatened to quit the sport after her Rio 2016 Olympic dream was shattered.
This is because she will not be competing at the forthcoming 11th edition of the All-Africa Games (AAG) billed for Congo Brazzaville next month which acts as part of the continental qualifying series to the Olympics.
Siamupangila, who is currently ranked sixth on the latest Badminton Confederation of Africa (BCA) rankings, has been jostling for points at various international tournaments in a bid to clinch a spot at the Rio 2016 Olympics in Brazil.
She expressed disappointment with the decision to leave out badminton among the sports Zambian athletes will vie for at the AAG.
The Sports Council of Zambia (SCZ) only entered Zambia in six sports disciplines that include judo, boxing, swimming, handball, athletics and paralympics owing to inadequate funds.
“I have always worked extremely hard all this long so that I could earn qualification for the Olympic Games. This development is very frustrating for me as a player because the All Africa Games would have been an opportunity for me to improve further on the ranking which is critical in qualification,” Siamupangila said.
Not all hope is lost for Siamupangila as she could be considered for a wild card slot at the Olympics if she finishes within the medal bracket at all international tournaments in the run up to the Games.
Siamupangila said the SCZ failure to consider badminton for the AAG had dampened her spirit to continue Zambia’s quest for success in the sport.
“I have completely lost hope and looking at the inadequate sponsorship the sport has been experiencing, it is a far-fetched dream to think that I can compete in every tournament (International) to go through by a wild card. The All Africa Games was a great opportunity for me,” she said.
Siamupangila, who obtained a coaching certificate last year, said coaching at her club Nkwazi was the next option for her to continue contributing to the development of the sport.
In her quest for the Rio spot, Siamupangila recently took part in the German Open and minted silver at the Yonex Mauritius International championship before taking part in the 2015 Nigeria International Championship.