Legendary Ssali for Uspa honour
Apr 14, 2009
FOUR-TIME national rally champion Sam Ssali is to be honoured as one of Uganda’s sports legends at the uganda telecom/USPA Annual Sportsman of the Year Gala at Hotel Africana on Saturday.
By Samson Opus
FOUR-TIME national rally champion Sam Ssali is to be honoured as one of Uganda’s sports legends at the uganda telecom/USPA Annual Sportsman of the Year Gala at Hotel Africana on Saturday.
The rally ace, who won the National Rally Championship from 1989 to 1992, is the only Ugandan driver to have won the title for four consecutive times.
Ssali, who drove a Nissan PA10, won the title with three different navigators - Frank Nekusa, Eddie Clays Kayiwa (RIP) and George Bitature (RIP)
“I am very delighted to be recognised by USPA for achievements. It’s such a big record that cannot be beaten easily. As a true sportsman it would have been great to see somebody match my record,†Ssali said, when the news was broken to him yesterday.
Charlie Lubega came close to equalling it but Moses Lumala spoilt the party for him in the fourth year.
“I advise the new generation of drivers to be honest and spend the sponsors’ money well otherwise you can’t achieve every year without proper sponsorship. I kept my three sponsors for the four years without a problem,†Ssali counseled. Ssali attributed his success to his sponsors then Peacock Paints, Match International and Esso Oil (now GAPCO).
Ssali will receive the award on the night when the sports personality of 2008 will be crowned.
Athlete Moses Kipsiro, UPDF golfer Flavia Namakula, Lady Rugby Cranes and Duncan Mugabe are the nominees for the award.
FOUR-TIME national rally champion Sam Ssali is to be honoured as one of Uganda’s sports legends at the uganda telecom/USPA Annual Sportsman of the Year Gala at Hotel Africana on Saturday.
The rally ace, who won the National Rally Championship from 1989 to 1992, is the only Ugandan driver to have won the title for four consecutive times.
Ssali, who drove a Nissan PA10, won the title with three different navigators - Frank Nekusa, Eddie Clays Kayiwa (RIP) and George Bitature (RIP)
“I am very delighted to be recognised by USPA for achievements. It’s such a big record that cannot be beaten easily. As a true sportsman it would have been great to see somebody match my record,†Ssali said, when the news was broken to him yesterday.
Charlie Lubega came close to equalling it but Moses Lumala spoilt the party for him in the fourth year.
“I advise the new generation of drivers to be honest and spend the sponsors’ money well otherwise you can’t achieve every year without proper sponsorship. I kept my three sponsors for the four years without a problem,†Ssali counseled. Ssali attributed his success to his sponsors then Peacock Paints, Match International and Esso Oil (now GAPCO).
Ssali will receive the award on the night when the sports personality of 2008 will be crowned.
Athlete Moses Kipsiro, UPDF golfer Flavia Namakula, Lady Rugby Cranes and Duncan Mugabe are the nominees for the award.