By: Kayiira Jackson
The former Uganda National Badminton team star and captain Edwin Ekiring donated sports gears worth millions of money to his grassroot club, Sharing Badminton Club.
The Ugandan based in Netherlands Ekiring with his longtime friends who turned a family visited Uganda and the package that came with badminton racquets, sports shoes, shuttles and uniforms was donated to Sharing BC and the hand over ceremony was held on Friday at Sharing premises in Kampala.
Brother Bonkoungou Nazaire received the donation on behalf of the club and in attendance was the Uganda Badminton CEO Mugabi Simon and coaches of the club.
“This is a good gesture, we are happy for Edwin and his friends to think about the club that once carried him.” Bonkoungou Nazaire (Brother) said upon receiving the equipment.
The 2012 Olympian, Ekiring revealed that Badminton saved his life and that’s why he decided to give back to the club that groomed him and made him a person of importance.
“Badminton saved my life.” Ekiring revealed. “I grew up from the ghetto across, this place raised me, I have good and bad memories about it, it groomed me, it gave me chance to be a person.
“So I have always wished to offer a helping hand to the budding talent. The same way I was help to develop as a player is the same way I want to help” Ekiring stated.
Ekiring boosts of three medals at the All African Games (a silver and two bronze) and two bronze medals at the African championships.
He competed at the 2012 summer Olympics in London as well as the 2014 Commonwealth games (Glasgow, Scotland).
Over the years, he competed in different BWF international challenge meets in various countries with 7 titles to his name and 7 runners up accolades.
Ekiring commended the young ones to keep focused and be hardworking if they’re to yield from their careers.
“Hardworking is key but commitment and discipline for young players are also important components in the career path journey. Players have to have the discipline to keep time, train well and regularly and follow the demands of the game” he encouraged the youths.
