Mugabe praying for 2012 Olympics miracle

Africa’s number three tennis player, Mugabe is unsure about his chances of featuring in the prestigious competition after failing to take part in several competitions due to shortage of funds. It is evident that Uganda’s best tennis player is familiarising himself with the possibility of not making it to London.

Mugabe tells of his journey as a tennis player, growing up around Lugogo, his siblings, his achievements and a possible future in Uganda after spending the last few years playing in South Africa and around the world. “The first time I played, I was sent off the court,” says Mugabe who first held a racquet as a very little five-year-old.

He recalls spending a lot of time at Lugogo of which he says, “I have mostly good memories of this place, my career has its roots in this place.”
With the support of his family, Mugabe made an easy choice of tennis over other sports such as badminton, hockey, football and cricket (where he played for the national under-15 side).

The fourth in a family of eight children, Mugabe is very proud of his siblings.
He is particularly close to his elder brother Daniel Ruyange, who he overshadowed as a tennis player. Ruyange later leaned more towards cricket where he plays on the senior men’s team. He also speaks fondly of his younger brother, basketball player, Brian Kasumba.

After winning an ITF East Africa under 13 tennis competition in 2003, Mugabe won a month’s training in South Africa. At just 13 years, he did well that month and was granted a year’s scholarship which was subsequently extended to five years. He attended Clapham High School in Pretoria together with other tennis players from different countries in Africa.

Mugabe became close to Nigeria’s Emmanuel Sande and Zimbabweans Takanyi Garanganga and Happy Takura. “I enjoyed myself because I was among people my age. It was a new experience for all of us,” says Mugabe, who spent most of his time in the Rainbow Nation playing tennis.

The memory of Mugabe’s two months journey to Europe at 16, where he attended camps and played tournaments as part of an ITF team is still blissful. He went to France, UK, Spain and Italy for what he remembers as a great experience.

Mugabe continued to represent Uganda winning the Africa junior championships in 2007 and 2010.Next in the long line of opportunities was a chance to prepare for the Delhi Commonwealth games in America. “The opportunity to play in America was always there, I just hadn’t picked it yet,” said Mugabe who moved to California, the best place to be according to him.

Despite not winning a single match at the Delhi games, Mugabe gained a lot of experience and had a fantastic time. He also retained the Uganda Open and Kenya Open titles this year and finished third at the All Africa games in Maputo, an achievement he feels was not appreciated enough at home.

“I am lucky, my family and friends are very supportive,” says the youthful athlete, who lives in Bweyogerere with his tennis-playing dad, James Kasumba. “I don’t wear socks on my left foot first before a game, it just feels wrong. Talking to myself during a match is my thing. It works for me,” Mugabe opens up on his playing traditions.

“It is however lonely at the top,” complains the youngster who is the envy of many his age. Mugabe dreams of starting a tennis academy in Uganda and is waiting on a possible chance to return to America, or to join Victoria University in Kampala where he would study Accounting and Financial Management.

Local tennis players Henry Muyanja, Allan Senabulya and young brother Richard Mupenzi are among the friends helping Mugabe as he forges a life in Uganda after many years away. “We should not accept mediocrity, I would like to see more professionalism in both administration and players,” says the player about tennis in the country before tipping young multi-faceted Mary Nalule as the next Serena Williams.

“She is very good with her hands. When she holds a cricket bat, she plays graceful shots. It is the same thing when she has a racket in hand. Watch this space, Mary (Nalule) is the real deal.” Despite a quiet year by his own standards, Mugabe is Uganda and East Africa’s top seed.

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