Darts Conservation Cup on this weekend

Darters renew their rivalry on Saturday and Sunday (August 3-4) in the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Cup at Brimax Hotel, Kyebando.

The two-day event promises to be more competitive and tougher as all the country’s top darters including defending champions in the men’s category Patrick Ochieng (Police), Ronald Kalete, Andrew Emomeri (Prisons), Job Odoi, Isaac Passi, (UWA) Robert Okalanyi (UCI) and David Komakech (Gulu) have confirmed their participation.

Job Odoi in action as Margret Tumuhairwe looks on. PHOTO: Johnson Were

Ochieng who Komaketch of Gulu last year will be out to defend his title. However, others including Ben Musisi, Juma Said, Patrick Opolot, and Abnar Bwire all from UWA target the same silverware.

They will face stiff opposition from Mathias Okwi, Solomon Omara, Julius Malinga, and Augustus Ndigendawa.

“I am bringing my Police team, and we are coming to victory. I also want that trophy,” Okwi said, popularly referred to as the Cobra.

Okwi returns to amateur darts after two years of bickering with the Uganda darts association and he leads team Police in this tournament.

However, it will be a mouth-watering battle as Africa champion Sarah Makanga eyes a back-to-back victory.

African champion Job Odoi in action during the Uganda Darts Association Ranking tournament organised by Kampala Zone at Memerito Hotel. PHOTO: Johnson Were

Last week, Makanga won the final national trials in Soroti unbeaten and achieved the same results when the tournament ended on Sunday.

“I won in Soroti unbeaten and that is what I want this weekend,” The back of Uganda darter said.

She will, however, not find it as easy as defending champions Janipher Kageye, Harriet Akot, Issavella Agoro, Margret Tumuhaise, Maria Namuganyi, and Winnie Asuga.

This year’s edition has attracted a record 84 participants in the men’s category and 34 women and tournament director Agustus Ndigendawa.  

UWA are defending champions in the team category, Ben Musisi and Juma Said (UWA) are defending champions in the double’s men while Makanga and Bako are defending champions in women having beaten Maria Namuganyi and Winnie Asuga.