After bowing out of the semi-finals of the ongoing regional qualifications for 2022 Africa Senior championship and regional qualification for 2023 World Table tennis championship in Ethiopia, Rwanda’s national Table Tennis team has shifted their focus to the third place when they face Uganda on Sunday. Rwanda, which is being represented at the tournament by three players namely Didier Hahirwabasenga, Eric Niyonizigiye and Regis Ishimwe, was in the same group as Uganda Seychelles, Eritrea. The trio made a bright start to the tournament on Thursday, May 5, winning both opening games, including a 3-0 sets against Eritrea in the first game before beating Seychelles 3-1 sets in the second game. They however, fell short behind Uganda in the third and last group game during which they lost 3-1, a result that saw them finish second in the group. Coming second in their group saw them drawn against Mauritius in the semi-finals. The boys on Friday, May 6, faced a tough test against Mauritius’ boys and went on to lose the tie on 3-0 sets. They now want to bounce back when they face Uganda in a battle for third place. Organized by Ethiopia Table Tennis Federation (ETTF), the championship will provide tickets to qualify for the Africa senior championships scheduled to take place in Algeria in October. The continental tournament will also decide which countries will represent Africa at the World Table Tennis Championship slated next year in South Africa.
