KAMPALA, Feb 4. (Xinhua) -- Ronald Nyaika, an officer in the Uganda Police Force, has qualified to represent Uganda at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in Australia.
"Nyaika has been in excellent form and showed it in the national selection tournaments where he came out on top and we expect him to put up a good show at the Commonwealth Games," Robert Jaggwe, the Uganda Table Tennis Association (UTTA) chairman told Xinhua on Saturday.
Nyaika who is an Assistant Superintendent of Police (Detective) will be making his second appearance at the Games that bring together members of the Commonwealth. He participated in the 2010 Games in New Delhi, India where he was defeated in the first round.
"I am very happy that I am in good form and improved my game. Qualifying for the Commonwealth Games means a lot for me and representing the country is one of the best experiences in life," Nyaika said.
Nyaika has also represented Uganda at the 2007, 2011, 2015 All Africa Games, the 2013 World Championships and many other tournaments around Africa. He told Xinhua that although working for the Police Force keeps him busy, he still finds time to train.
The UTTA chairman said they will have another selection event to decide who takes up the women's slot with Halima Namboozo or Rita Nakumitsa seen as favorites.
"We have also applied to the organizers to give us two more slots so that we field two men and two women players," added Jaggwe.
Uganda is expected to send around 70 athletes to the Commonwealth Games together with 30 officials. Already five weightlifters as well as the Netball and Rugby 7s teams have secured direct qualification for the Games that take place from April 4-15.
Other athletes will come from boxing, badminton, squash, swimming, cycling, shooting, table tennis, track & field events.
