Uganda’s sole men’s badminton representative at the forthcoming London Olympics, Edwin Ekiring, has finally been cleared to take part after an outstanding fine of 400 US dollars was paid.
Ekiring, who is also Africa’s top player, was set to miss the Games if the fine was not cleared after he registered but missed taking part in the Canadian and Swedish International tournaments.
Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) Vice President (Technical) Denis Galabuzi says the money has since been paid.
Simon Mugabi, the national coach and Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Badminton Association (UBA), had earlier told URN that the player had failed to play in the two tournaments, but the rules of the International Badminton body indicate that fines must be paid if a player enters an event and misses out.
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Ekiring lost at the quarter final stage to Japan’s Takuma Ueda in the Yonex OCBC US Open Grand Prix Gold 2012 last week. In a separate online interview the Ugandan star told URN that although he thinks China’s Lin Dan, Chen Long and Chen Jin, and the other top ranked players like Lee Chong Wei from Malaysia are the stars to watch for medals, he will also give a good account of himself.
The top African player who will be making his second appearance at the Olympic Games said although he is aware the competition at the games will be very stiff he thinks he will put up a better show this time and go past the early rounds.
The player goes into the Olympic Games with good news after his latest ranking improved by 14 places moving to 93rd place. This is his best world ranking ever. Besides Ekiring for badminton, Uganda will also field 12 athletes in field and track events, two swimmers and a weightlifter.
