| The Malagasy team will play the semi-finals this Tuesday in Kampala. |
The Malagasy standard bearers at the East African Championships achieved a flawless performance during the team events yesterday in Kampala, the Ugandan capital.
Freewheeling. The first day of the East African Championships was marked by the one-sided victories of the Malagasy team in the group stage of the team events. The zonal game takes place in Kampala, the Ugandan capital, from April 22 to 25.
Madagascar plays in group 1 composed of Sudan, Rwanda and Mauritius. The men’s team is made up of three expatriates, the singles title holder Fabio Rakotoarimanana, his runner-up Antoine Razafinarivo, Stephen Ravonison, and the only local player, Zo Razafindralambo alias Lino.
Madagascar defeated Rwanda yesterday morning by 3-0 at the Arena Sport MTN in the Lugogo district of Kampala. Stephen beat Didier Hahirwabasenga 3-0 (11/8 11/5 11/6). Antoine for his part dismissed Blaise Shimirwa 3-0 (11/6 12/10 11/3) and Lino won 3-0 (11/6 11/7 11/8) against Patrick Masengesho. The Malagasy team scored a second victory against Sudan. In his first match, Fabio defeated Mohammed Adam 3-0 (11/9 11/8 11/8). Antoine subsequently beat Elmutasin Eltayeb 3-0 (11/8 11/4 11/9) and Lino defeated Amgad Mahrous 3-0 (11/8 11/3 11/7).
Final square
In the small final in the group phase, Madagascar dominated Maurice last night by 3-0. Antoine dismissed Ryan Desscann 3-0 (11/4 11/6 11/5). Fabio toppled SK Houssein Zayyan 3-0 (11/8 11/4 11/7) and Stephen swept aside Soham Gooljar 3-0 (11/7 12/10 11/7).
Madagascar thus finished at the top of group 1 ahead of Île aux Dodos. And in group 2, the host country finished first ahead of Djibouti. These four nations will play the semi-finals this Tuesday. Madagascar will therefore be opposed to Djibouti, the organizing country of the previous edition. These four nations have also validated their ticket for the continental championship.
On the girls’ side, the Big Island fielding Tina Andriantahina, Rotsy Razafimahatratra and Hanitra Karen Raharimanana beat Ethiopia by forfeit. The girls met yesterday evening in the second match, Rwanda. In addition to the team final phase, the qualifiers for the singles events will take place this Tuesday. The final phase from the round of 16 will be held on Wednesday.
Serge Rasanda