30 school for Kateregga Memorial Championship

Bata Shoe Company’s Diana Nabunya (L), Coca-cola’s Nicholas Rukundo (2nd L), Sun Industries’ Mohammed Vaheed (2nd R) and Isbat University’s Dr Sudhindra Bhatt (R) present their Kateregga Memorial Championship sponsorship packages to UTTA general secretary Hillary Kimbugwe on Tuesday. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA

What you need to know:

Francis Kateregga was a national table tennis player who began his career at City High School, Kololo. He was drafted into the national junior team while in Senior Two

Kampala. Thirty three schools of primary and secondary level have confirmed participation in the second edition of the Kateregga Memorial Table Tennis Championship due July 16-17 at MTN Arena, Lugogo.
The pronouncement was made on Tuesday at the Arena when Uganda Table Tennis Association (UTTA) unveiled sponsorship packages from various partners for the two-day tournament.
Coca-cola offered soft drinks; Isbat University offered Shs800,000; City Ambulance and City Medicals will provide medical services; Bata offered 15 pairs of Power trainer shoes for 15 outstanding players; Sun Industries will offer vaseline to different winners while Uganda Police will provide security. “I’m glad to welcome this huge partnership,” said Douglas Kayondo, the new UTTA president. “This is the way to go in rebuilding this sport. We must rebuild it from the grass-roots by seeking sponsorship and scouting talent.”
Kayondo also appealed to government to consider importers of table tennis equipment for tax waivers to enhance development of the sport.

Who is Kateregga?
Francis Kateregga was a national table tennis player who began his career at City High School, Kololo. He was drafted into the national junior team while in Senior Two.
At the time, Kateregga used his influence to attract many schoolmates into the sport. At the 1995 All-Africa Games, Kateregga and teammates became the first Ugandan team to win a bronze medal in racket games. Kateregga narrowly missed an Olympics debut as compatriots June Kyakobye, Paul Mutambuze and Mary Musoke made the 1996 Atlanta Games. Unfortunately, Kateregga soon suffered from pneumonia and cerebral malaria to which he succumbed in 1997. Before his fall he was ranked on the continent and in the world.