By Paul Ngono
GABORONE, Botswana, Feb 16. – Egypt’s Adham Hatem Elgamal and Fadilah Shamika Mohamed Rafi (Uganda) are the champions of the men’s and women’s singles at the All Africa Individual Championships 2026.
The two players came out top at the climax of the Championship on Sunday in Gaborone, Botswana.
Elgamal who also won the title in 2021 did not have to work hard as his opponent Jean Bernard Bongout (Mauritius) retired at 1-2.
But the Egyptian had seen off Lucas Douce and Adel Hamek in the semi and quarter final stage respectively. “I am happy to be a champions here because this also helps to improve my world ranking position,” said Elgamal.
In the women’s singles Shamika Mohamed Rafi who also won the title in 2023 defeated South Africa’s Johanita Scholtz 21-17 16-21 21-19 in a tense final.
Rafi who has been on a one month training camp in Mauritius had earlier against won 2-1 against Algeria’s Yasmina Chibah at the semi-final stage. “I thank my coaches for pushing me because winning the title means a lot to me as a player,” said the Ugandan top player.
There were no surprises in the men’s doubles and mixed doubles, with Koceila Mammeri expectedly taking home a double.
Koceila Mammeri and Youcef Sabri Medel won the men’s doubles title beating Zambia’s Chongo Ezra Mulenga/Kalombo Mulenga 21-16 21-19. Amy Ackerman/Johanita Scholtz (South Africa) emerged champions in the women’s doubles, while Koceila and his sister Tanina lifted the mixed doubles title.
