By Daniel Odoch & Agencies
KAMPALA, Feb 19. – Uganda’s promising youngster Joseph Sebatindira has reclaimed his U-13 world title after winning at the WTT Youth Contender Championship in Portugal.
Sebatindira who also represented Uganda at the All Africa Games 2023 in Ghana saw off Spain’s Alexander Malov 3-1 (4-11, 11-9, 14-12, 11-9) to emerge victorious at the Ravilhao dos Desportis de Vila Real.
“I am very happy that I have emerged champion again and this is a result of hard work,” added Sebatindira.
In the Group of 16 Sebatindira received a bye, and saw off England’s Kai Lan Chow 3-2 (5-11, 11-8, 11-5, 9-11, 11-9) in a tough quarter final match.
Sebatindira was in good form again at the semi-final stage again when he defeated another player from England Jayden Chen 3-0 (11-3, 11-6, 11-4). In the Girls U-13 category final Brazil’s Bianca Borges beat Natalia Wszolek (Poland) 3-0. The Ugandan had won the title in January 2024 in Qatar, but lost it later in the year.
“We thank God for this achievement and thank Sebatindira for the good display,” said Robert Jjagwe, President of the Uganda Table Tennis Association (UTTA).
Sebatindira will now turn his focus to the U-11 category where he hopes to defend his world number 1 status and rank. The competition starts today.
