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Defending champion John Wanyoike will be seeking to retain his title when over 50 junior and established players face off at the 2022 Nyanza Open Badminton tournament set to kick off on Saturday at the Agha Khan Hall in Kisumu.
Over 100 national and international badminton players will grace this year's two-day badminton event.
All eyes will be on Kenyan internationals Wanyoike and Sammy Sikoyo who is fresh from representing the country at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Tournament Director John Apollo said the tournament will be played in three categories namely juniors, seniors and veterans.
"This is going to be an interesting and very competitive being the first tournament after the trials that saw two badminton players competing at the Birmingham commonwealth games.''Players have missed competing. Actually, Nyanza open gives new players a chance to showcase their talents and we expect best of the best," said Apollo.
Concerning the current standing ban, Apollo said he hopes the new Sports CS Ababu Namwamba resolves the matter quickly because local players are suffering and the sport is dying.
"We hope it will end soon ,our players are demoralised as they are un able to participate in int tournament and we are unable to hold a bigger tournament as Kenya International .With
Ababu coming in as the CS sports we see some hope because he is some one who understands badminton issue," he added.
Wanyoike and Ugandan top seed Brenda Awuori won the 2021 Nyanza Mega Badminton Open edition last year.
Wanyoike defeated defending champion Edwin Waitathu of National Bank 2-0 in the finals to emerge top in the men's category.
Waitathu and Wanyoike were crowned men doubles winners after flooring Isaac Mabwago and Wilkie Keragori.
In the ladies' category, Ugandan star Awuori saw off Theertha Vanemredy in the finals to be crowned champion.
In ladies doubles, Jacinta Sengera of Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) and Agnes Jori edged out Theertha Vannemreddy and Brenda Awori.
Mixed doubles saw Edwin Waitathu and Brenda Awori defeat Brian Otieno and Lucy Wangari.
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