Phillip Corry
27 December 2008
Kampala — DUNCAN Mugabe was no doubt the biggest newsmaker in the 2008 Uganda Lawn Tennis Association (ULTA) season. His achievements were attained across the continent from North, South, West and East Africa.
But the highlight was his rapid rise on the Association of Tennis Professionals men's senior rankings where he moved 211 places in three months to reach the 943 mark in the world.
Mugabe played in seven ITF/Futures circuit tournaments, reached the semi-finals at the Gabon F2 circuit as he made a debut on the senior men's circuit.
He capped his career as a junior player by winning the ITF/U-18 East Africa junior championships in Kampala to get the title that had eluded him.
The display earned Mugabe a place on the ITF/Grand Slam touring team that played a series of junior tournaments in Morocco.
He also participated in the African Closed junior championships in Gaborone, Botswana where he was a semi-finalist.
At the same time, ULTA led by John Nagenda moved a step forward by wooing back sponsors to the sport.
The effort saw the revival of the Bell Lager Uganda Open that had a semi-professional status.
The national schools tennis championships was also re-instated.
In addition to getting Uganda Breweries back on board, ULTA strengthened its partnership with Sheraton Hotel and Brussels Airlines.
At the same time, Rwenzori Water emerged as new partner. ULTA also cemented ties with bodies outside the county.
The move enabled youngsters including Henry Ayesiga and Lawrence Sempijja get modern skills at a holiday clinic in Nairobi.
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