Kenyan duo reach semis in badminton tourney

Fans follow a badminton match at Kasarani, on Saturday. [PHOTO: STAFFORD ONDEGO]

BY ELIZABETH MBURUGU

Kenyan duo of Joseph Matheri and Abner Orwaru qualified for the semi-finals in the men’s doubles in the Kenya International Badminton championships.

Orwaru and Matheri broke the Jinx as they beat Ugandans Mihigo Daniel and Brian Ssuna 21-16, 22-24, 21-12 in a tough match played at the Moi International sports Centre, Kasarani, on Saturday.

The Women’s Doubles saw Susan Kyalo and Susan Wangari proceed to the semi-finals through a walkover as the Nigerian Duo of Damilola Atolagbe and Fatima Azeez failed to honour the match. Kenyans also excelled in the Mixed Doubles. Patrick Kinyua and Mercy Joseph beat Jacob Musisi and Margaret Nankabirwa 22-20, 21-15 to advance to the semis. Joseph Matheri and Lavina Martins booked their semi-final slot outshining Herbert Ebayo and Aisha Nakiyemba of Uganda 21-14,21-14.

Another Kenyan duo of Alfred Muthomi and Sheila Muthoni ( mixed doubles category) easily qualified for the semi-finals through a walkover as Uganda’s Brenda Nabusindo and Rogers Bakaki failed to show up.

Kenyans Harsh Patel and Mit Patel fell to Ugandans Herbert Ebayo and Jacob Musisi 21-10, 21-18 in their Men’s Doubles event. Kenyan Victor Odera teaming up with Ugandan Abraham Wogute went down to Patrick Kinyua and Alfred Muthomi in the round of 16 in a three-setter match 21-13, 16-21, 19-21 in their Men’s Doubles.

Kenya’s former top seeds Naomi Kemunto and Sheila Muthoni could not withstand the heat generated by Ugandas top seeds Shamim Bangi and Margaret Nankabirwa as they went down 21-9, 21-11 in their women’s doubles to bow out of the tournament.

Tournament top seed Subhankar Dey beat Nigeria’s Abah Eneojoh 21-13,21-10 to proceed to the men’s singles finals.

The Ladies Singles semi-final saw Ugandan Daisy Nakalyango retired in the in the second game following an injury allowing fellow Ugandan Bangi Shamim sail to the finals. She will play Africa top seed Grace Gabriel from Nigeria in the Women’s Singles finals. Grace Qualified by beating Ugandan Brenda Nabusindo in the semif-inal 21-10, 21-8.