Akope receives Real Stars Life Time Legendary Award

The organisers of the Fortebet Real Stars Awards continued to honour living legends of sport with another Lifetime Legendary Award to professional golfer Deo Akope.

During their monthly awards in Kampala on Tuesday, Akope was recognised for his legendary status in the sport, which he has served at all levels as a caddie, player, national team captain, and later coach, and is currently the chairman of the Uganda Professional Golfers Association.

The five-time Uganda Golf Open winner (3 times as an amateur and 2 times as a pro) received his award from Nakawa East MP Ronald Balimwezo, who described such awards as ‘a push factor’ for the sportsmen.

“I’m honored to receive this lifetime legendary award. Many individuals in sports go unrecognized, so I appreciate this acknowledgment of our efforts. “ Golf is often seen as a game for the wealthy, but I started from humble beginnings, using cassava sticks as makeshift clubs. With support from others in the sport, I was able to achieve my dreams.

Seated L-R: UCU's Linda Muzito, Fortebet's Resty Mbatidde and Justine Nalubega pose with legendary golfer Deo Akope (center), SOMMET Basketball Club’s Frank Nyembo Fataki (2nd right) alongside Ronald Balimwezo (left), Isaac Mukasa (2nd left) and Jude Colour Solutions' Henry Zzimbe (right). Photo by Michael Nsubuga

“I’ve accomplished much in golf: serving as national team captain, playing on the national team, coaching, and founding the Uganda Professionals Golf Association, of which I’m still the chairman,” Akope stated.

“I remain active and successful in the sport. “This award is an inspiration for the younger generation, and I dedicate it to the golfing community that has supported me. “To the youth: nothing comes easy in life. Continue working hard, and one day your efforts will pay off.”

The other month of June awardees included UCU Netball team’s defender Linda Muzito who took the netball gong ahead of KCCA’s Shafi Nalwanja. Muzito’s performance at the back guided UCU to a 48-37 win over UPDF on top of sending them to an emphatic and deserved 60-42 triumph over Busia. And despite a 37-33 loss to record champions NIC, her efforts at the back in this encounter stood tall. UCU currently tops the table with 16 points.

“I give glory to God that I receive this award today. But it isn’t mine alone, but for the whole team because netball is a team sport. We have exhibited teamwork,, and my efforts as a defender have been supplemented by all the other departments.

“This award will continue motivating us to win more games and maybe the title. This is a stepping stone, and we will ensure we make it there. It will fire us to perform even better,” Muzito said.

Olympic 3000m steeplechase silver medalist Peruth Chemutai was recognized for her silver she won at the Paris Diamond League meet where she clocked a season best 8:54.41 as she came second behind Kenya’s Faith Cherotich, who clinched gold in 8:53.37.

SOMMET Basketball Club’s Frank Nyembo Fataki was also recognized for having posted important points as his side humbled the KIU Titans 92-73 and the Kampala Rockets 85-81 before putting to the sword the City Oilers 90-87 and the JKL Dolphins Men 68- 64, whose performance was unmatched in June. Fataki averaged 21 points with a combined 57 rebounds and 26 turnovers.

“It’s a great honour to be recognized, and I thank the sponsors, and I thank my president, Nasser Sserunjogi, who gave me the opportunity,, and all my teammates for the support,” Fataki said.

Balimwezo called on the government not only to continue funding sports but also to ensure open spaces for sports are preserved for nurturing and developing talent.

“I appreciate the sponsors for bankrolling this event. I also want to thank the different federations for organizing competitions and also providing a conducive environment for our sportsmen.

“Sport is not only good for physical fitness and self-defense, but it can also help students earn scholarships. Some federations are custodians of open spaces for sports, so they should take a lead in ensuring that these are protected for sports,” Balimwezo stated.

“Schools should ensure they secure all their open spaces meant for sports so that talent can be nurtured and developed. We have seen several athletes earning from their talent so it is important to ensure many others benefit from theirs too as they also pursue their academic ambitions,”