KAMPALA, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Uganda has been handed a tough draw for the Badminton team events at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

In the draws made on Tuesday, Uganda has been placed alongside England, Australia and South Africa in Group C.

"This is a very tough group because all our three opponents have very strong team players," Simon Mugabi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Badminton Association (UBA) told Xinhua on Tuesday.

He was however excited Uganda is among the 16 Commonwealth member teams that have been ranked and made the team event draw. "We have been rankled fourth in Africa and this inclusion in the team events is good for our up-coming players," he added.

The Netherlands based professional Edwin Ekiring who has participated in two Olympic Games and three Commonwealth Games will be expected to lead Uganda's team together with Bridget Shamim Bangi. "This is a very tough group, but we shall continue to prepare well ahead of the Games," Bangi told Xinhua.

Group B will also have two African teams Zambia and Mauritius as they battle against Singapore and Jamaica, while Ghana and Seychelles are in Group D alongside Canada and Malaysia. India will face a tough task in Group A alongside Scotland, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Uganda is expected to send around 70 athletes and 30 officials to the Commonwealth Games.

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