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Ankunda path to greatness one from faith to forehands
Sam Ankunda thrives under pressure. PHOTOS/COURTESY
What you need to know:
Boundless Belief. Nakasero’s golden boy Ankunda is turning heads with his skill and determination, but he’s not planning to stop until he’s Africa’s best.
At just 15 years old, Samuel Ankunda Mbabazi is making waves in Ugandan table tennis. Known to his friends as “Little Fatty” or “Dragos,” he jokes that his only opponent is God.
But when pressed, Ankunda becomes more realistic and admits that his toughest adversary is Phillip Martin Napookoli, his training partner at Nakasero Table Tennis Club (NTTC) and schoolmate at Kibuli Secondary School.
“Fearing God is a must because He decides our fate. I always pray before my matches,” the innocent-speaking Ankunda says with a shy smile emanating from his face.
“It’s my secret weapon after all the training. But when it comes to competition, Napookoli is one guy who really pushes me to my limits. Playing against him sharpens my game, equally.”
Charity begins at home
Ankunda’s journey began in 2015, when his parents; Mr. Dennis Mbabazi Rugyema and Mrs. Jennifer Mbabazi Kobugabe, both teachers at Nakasero Primary School, encouraged him to channel his energy into sports, too.
“They taught me discipline, hard work, and the importance of saving,” he shares. Ankunda has won over some good money in prize money, meticulously saving it with dreams of buying something worthy like an asset or starting a business someday, provided his parents approve.
Anchored by former Olympian Mary Musoke, NTTC has played a pivotal role in Ankunda’s meteoric rise. The club’s meticulous training, coupled with guidance from coaches Alvin Katumba and Tendo Mary Balyewunya, has turned this Senior Three student at Kibuli SS into a national champion.
“Coach Mary is an inspiration,” Ankunda says. “Her dedication to the sport is unmatched, and she’s a living example of what we (youngsters) can achieve.”
D-Star Foundation president Daniel Ssekyanzi, the organisers of the Jinja Open Table Tennis Championship last weekend at St Andrew’s Hall in Jinja where Ankunda won the Men’s Singles and U-19 Men’s titles as well picking gold in the Men’s Doubles with Enock Balyewunya and silver in the Mixed Doubles with Patra Nasirumbi praises Nakasero’s dominance.
Sam Ankunda (C) and his doubles' partner Enock Balyewunya (R) are joined Hope Kobusingye.
“They’ve set the benchmark for other clubs with their organisation and talent development. There are many other hubs in Mbale, Gulu, Slum Ping Pong Kampala that are doing well but it’s now Nakasero’s time to reap the fruits. It’s incredible to see young stars like Ankunda and U-13 surprise winner Judith Mirembe from TT Kids Iganga shine.”
Ankunda idolizes Chinese table tennis legend Ma Long for his precision and resilience. “Ma Long’s career shows that nothing is impossible with hard work,” Ankunda speaks in praise of the six-time Olympic champion, and three-time reigning World Champion – arguably the greatest athlete to ever play the game.
Locally, he draws motivation from Musoke - a 1992, 1996 and 2000 Ugandan representative at the Summer Olympics, whose disciplined approach and commitment to the sport he admires deeply.
Career on the rise
Since taking up the sport in 2015, Ankunda has collected an impressive array of silverware.
This year’s Jinja Open saw Ankunda defeat Napookoli 3-0 to clinch the senior men’s title, his third consecutive win. He also bagged titles in the U-19 category and men’s doubles with partner Enock Balyewunya. His victory in the finals against Napookoli and U-19 runner-up, the sensational Joseph Sebatindira underscores his dominance.
“It’s about controlling the game mentally,” he reflects. “I focus on keeping the ball on the table longer than my opponents. With my physical fitness intact, I make it easy to win more games quicker than my opponent.”
Beyond his personal success, Ankunda’s rivals and mentors recognize his potential.
“This sport is becoming more appealing with increased sponsorships from companies like; Mandela Group of Companies and tournaments,” says the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) sponsored veteran player Moses Mpabwa, who credits events like the Jinja Open for luring him back to competition after a three-year hiatus. Mpabwa, a star of yesteryears, is evidently impressed by the sport's growing appeal and Ankunda’s meteoric rise.
Dreams beyond the table
For Ankunda, table tennis is not just a game—it’s a pathway to greatness. His motto, “Hard work pays,” guides his approach to both sport and life. The admirable teenager dreams of becoming the best player in East Africa and Africa representing Uganda on the global stage.
On the continent, he singles out Cote D’Ivoire, Algeria and South Africa as the nations that have proved to be stiff bottlenecks for Team Uganda in pursuit of African glory as justified during the 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana earlier this year.
But Ankunda is not planning to go about his life like a one-way traffic route. He has fallback aspirations of pursuing architecture or entrepreneurship. “Talent is important, but without hard work, it means nothing,” he advises young athletes. With his motto, “Hard work pays,” Ankunda is on a trajectory that’s as inspiring as it is unstoppable.
With the unyielding support of his mentors, family, and the Nakasero TTC, Ankunda’s future looks bright. As Uganda's table tennis scene continues to rise from yesteryears’ ruins, young Ankunda’s story volleys away any fears about the sport’s demise and instead serves as a sumptuous platter of inspiration for the next generation of players.
5TH JINJA OPEN TABLE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP
Breakdown of Ankunda Prize Money
Men’s Singles Title: Shs700,000
Men’s Doubles Title: Shs152,000
Men’s U-19 Title: Shs100,000
Mixed Doubles Runners-up: Shs75,000
Total: Shs1.027m
AT A GLANCE
Personal Information
Full Name: Samuel Ankunda Mbabazi
Nickname(s): Little Fatty, Dragos
Date of Birth: 25 April 2009
School: Kibuli SS (Class: S.3)
Parents: Mr. Dennis Mbabazi Rugyema & Mrs. Jennifer Mbabazi Kobugabe
Table Tennis Journey
Started Playing: 2015
Team: Nakasero Table Tennis Club
Coaches: Mary Musoke, Alvin Katumba, & Tendo Mary Balyewunya
Local Idol: Mary Musoke (1992, 1996 & 2000 Former Olympian)
International Icon: Ma Long (China)
Toughest Opponent: Phillip Martin Napookoli (Singles, Nakasero)
Achievements/Feats
3 Gold – Men’s Singles at Jinja Table Tennis Open Championship (2022-24)
3 Gold – Men’s U-19 at Jinja Table Tennis Open Championship (2022-24)
2 Gold – Men’s Doubles at Jinja Table Tennis Open Championship (2023-24)
1 Silver = Mixed Doubles at Jinja Table Tennis Open Championship (2024)
2 Bronze – Team Events at Eastern Regional Tournament (2024)
1 Bronze – Men’s Doubles Team Uganda at 2024 Africa Youth Championships, Gaborone - Botswana
1 Bronze – Men’s Singles at Eastern Regional Tournament (2024)
6 Team Medals with Nakasero Table Tennis Club (2024)
Other Interests
Other Sports: Basketball & Football
Desired Occupation(s): Architect & Entrepreneur
Motto: Hard work pays
Advice to Fellow Youngsters: Respect coaches, love each other, but also work hard
