By James Bakama

Saturday
Utl/USPa gala

THIS year’s utl/USPa gala will mark the start of a new era where men and women are rewarded differently in their respective disciplines. Athletics, basketball, badminton, golf and volleyball are the first disciplines where the new approach will be applied.

“We found it fair to judge them differently especially in federations that have for years had serious separate competition for men and women,” explained USPA secretary Hussein Ahmed.

“We shall continue reviewing our list annually with additions and subtractions depending on the performance of the relevant disciplines,” noted Hussein.

The sports journalists’ body previously named only one personality from each of the disciplines, a method that had women complaining of unfairness.

athletics will have Adero Nyakisi (women) and Moses Kipsiro (men), badminton-Shamim Bangi (women) and Herbert Ebayo (men), basketball- Ronny Kasewu (men) and Miriam Hamala (women), golf- Vincent Byamukama and Jasper Kamukama (women), volleyball-Emma Kato (men), Vivian aketch (women).

USPa will on Saturday crown the sports personality of the year. World featherweight boxing champion Jackson asiku, Cranes striker Brian Umony, athlete Moses Kipsiro and rugby champions Heathens are the nominees for the award.

The uganda telecom sponsored gala will also have monthly winners recognized and retired footballer Jimmy Kirunda receiving the legendary award.