Kampala — It's common knowledge that table tennis does not match the pull of boxing or basketball to draw a full house at Lugogo Indoor stadium; and neither can its administration even risk the enticement to charge an entry fee. That's not to say the sport is anywhere near dire straits, actually where table tennis comes short in numbers, no sport matches its passion.

For all the dozens that set foot inside Lugogo Indoor stadium at the weekend, nearly all of them have ever held a bat. The three days were like spending time with an extended family, where everyone knows one another, where everybody is a coach or adviser and most importantly, where everyone is a potential rival but a friend too.

The free drinks and food went a long way to describe the unique nature of the sport. So if ever there was a reality check of the game, then the NSSF Open will best be remembered for drawing a new line in table tennis.

Not so long ago Paul Mutambuze was the biggest name in the sport, George Iga was unbeatable at his peak while Joseph Kiwanuka's defence was as effective as Jackson Migadde's backhand.

So when pint-sized Ronald Nyaika dispatched off Iga in the quarterfinals in less time than it took me to down a Mirinda pineapple; I sensed something was wrong, but I was wrong. "Ebintu byakyuka (things changed)," said Ivan Sentongo, a former top five player who couldn't get past round three.

Nyaika, a senior six student at Kitante Hill School, tops a ruthless new generation of youngsters whose only language is attack, attack, attack! He is also the country's number one seed, although the 17-year-old is expected to swap positions with Kevin Mafabi, the men singles champion who defeated him in the semis. Mafabi too is barely 20 and till he defeated Stefan Lauper in the quarters, everybody thought they were playing for runner-up honours.

Lauper, part of a seven-man Swedish delegation, was hot favourite to steamroll with ease until he met Mafabi. The fact that Mutambuze lost in the singles final had a great deal to do with a lucky draw that, until he defeated Kiwanuka in the semis, he didn't encounter any serious contender. Strangely, all the top three seeds were drawn in one semi-final pool - much to the delight of Mutambuze.

On the other hand, the future of women's has never been any brighter, thanks largely to the emergence of Mbale Tigers club that has churned out almost 90 percent of female players. There is also little to choose among the top 10 players. This was evident when Sara Lundin, the eventual winner of the singles title was comprehensively beaten by a primary pupil during the team event.