Sport for 69th celebration

The Indian High Commissioner to Uganda His Excellency Dr Ramesh Chandra shows off his table tennis skills in an exhibition match before the finals. PHOTO BY ELVIS SENONO

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INDIA INDEPENDENCE GALA. After 16 days of sweating out for glory on courts and gymnasiums, the Indian Community in Uganda wrapped up their celebrations of marking their 69th anniversary with a mega musical fete at Lugogo Cricket Oval on September 6. The trio of Shankar, Eshaan and Loy were the biggest act of the night and the full house joyfully sang along to most of the tracks.

The world over celebrated India’s 69th Independence Anniversary last month. And the Indian community in Uganda, too, got in on the act by commemorating their liberation day with a 16-day sports gala that climaxed on August 16 and attracted 621 participants.
Held at Kampala Parents School, Kampala Club and MK Badminton Academy, almost each member of the Indian Community took part in one of the sports including volleyball, pool table, chess, table tennis, cricket and badminton.

The tournament that was graced by the Indian High commissioner to Uganda Dr Ramesh Chandra and Indian Association Chairman Dave Chirag, who presented trophies and medals to the winners, and also hailed the spirit exhibited by the members. There were some outstanding performances in the badminton category particularly where 11-year-old Arshath Mohamed won the Under 13 and Under 15 titles as well as 10-year-old Fadhila Samika, who finish unrivaled in the girls Under 15 girls category.

There was also a chance for the elderly Meerasa Saleem and Mohideen Ansari, who showed that they still have gifted hands enroute to notching the Veterans and Open categories respectively. Nile Cricket Club all-rounder Sarfraz Chunara was crowned pool table champions after defeating Ali Didar. The thinking game - chess’ title - was scooped by Sanjay Jaivin, who defeated Gupta Aditya, in the boys category final whereas Shree Kutch Leva Patel Samaj lifted the overall volleyball gong.