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Kenya international Edwin Akwanyi is the new champion of the Nyanza Mega Badminton Open 2022
Nairobi-based Akwanyi dethroned former Kenyan John Wanyoike, who won last year’s edition after beating Kisumu’s Fabian Derrick 2-0 in Sunday night’s final at Agha Khan Hall in Kisumu.
Wanyoike, who missed the two-day Lake City tournament, was crowned champion in 2021 when he defeated his training and doubles partner Edwin Waitathu from National Bank, who also missed the final.
After the win, Akwanyi, the partner of current Kenyan leaders Sammy Sikoyo, who represented Kenya at the Commonwealth Games, said he was pleased with the win despite having the challenge of adapting to new playgrounds in Kisumu.
“Adapting to the Kisumu courts was a challenge because of the big difference compared to Nairobi, but overall it was a great win for me,” said Akwanyi.
Brender Awuori of Uganda defended her women’s title after beating University of Nairobi’s Favor Walumbe 2-0.
Last year, the Ugandan star bested Theertha Vanemredy in the final to be crowned champion.
In women’s doubles, Awuori teamed against Maryanne Makongo to defeat Wedleen and Yvonne. Last year Jacinta Sengera from Mathare Youth Sports was there
Association and Agnes Jori edge out Theertha Vannemreddy and Brenda Awori to win.
Uganda’s Babu Alex teamed with Mombasa‘s Clinton Olumasai to beat Nickson Kiprotich and Fred Ngumo to win the men’s doubles
In the junior category, Kisumu’s Cindy Joy won both the U15 and U19 categories against Mpesa Foundation’s Zippy.
Eddy Ojienda, on the other hand, defeated John Apollo 2-1 to win the Veterans Edition.
Tournament Director John Apollo was impressed by the nearly 140 participants who turned up but continued to campaign for new Sports CS Ababu Namwamba to help clear Kenya’s badminton ban.
“We had a very good tournament, well attended, actually we were overwhelmed by the number of players who came. The tournament ended at 1am. We have a number of young players challenging the seniors like Fabian Derrick who beat Uganda’s Babu Alex to reach the final. We are still appealing to the Ministry of Sport to clean up the mess in badminton,” he said.
