Badminton team crashes out

THE Zambia badminton team has shifted attention to the individual event after crashing out of the team event at the ongoing 2014 World Junior Championship in Alor Setar, Malaysia.
Zambia, who suffered walkovers at the hands of India and Uzbekistan, wrapped up its group match with a 5-0 defeat to Australia, a result that was identical to the loss against the hosts.
The championship is the world’s most prestigious badminton tournament for the junior players.
The Zambian contingent comprising Chongo Mulenga, Chezwa Nakanda, Evelyn Siamupangila and Mary Chilambe should make amends in the men’s and women’s singles and also the doubles and mixed doubles events that start this Saturday.
Other games involving Africa’s representatives at the competition saw South Africa record a 3-0 victory over Mongolia while Egypt beat Armenia 3-1.
Botswana exited the tournament on a proud note following a 5-0 victory over Armenia.
The tournament is the final global round of qualification for the Nanjing 2014 Youths Olympics set for China in August.