Basketball, rugby, and football stars shine at Fortebet Real Stars Sports awards

Basketball, rugby, and football players were recognised for their outstanding performances in April at the Fortebet Real Stars Sports Awards.

At a function held at Nanjing Restaurant, Rezlife Saints basketball player Edwin Ekau emerged as one of the winners following his stellar display as his side defeated defending champions City Oilers 62-48 in the FUBA Basketball League.

Ekau was the standout performer, scoring a game-high 25 points alongside 8 rebounds and 4 assists to inspire his team to victory.

"I am happy for the award and I thank Fortebet Real Stars for recognizing me. I thank my coaches and teammates who kept me going," Ekau said.

Other nominees in the basketball category were Fayed Baale and Tracy Namugosa.

In rugby, Alex Aturinda of Pirates Rugby Club was recognized for his pivotal role in helping his team edge Kenya's Nondescripts 20-17 in the semifinals of the Enterprise Cup, a competition featuring elite Ugandan and Kenyan clubs. Playing away from home, Aturinda scored a try and provided two assists as Pirates stormed into the final in the competition's historic cross-border format.

After receiving the award, Aturinda praised the organizers and sponsors, Fortebet and Jude Color Solutions.

"This goes beyond winning on the pitch because even the grandchildren can see the award in the future," he noted.

He beat Daniels Otim and Proscovia Mukyala to the accolade.

In football, NEC FC goalkeeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo was the third recipient after an impressive month in which he recorded five clean sheets and scored two penalties in Uganda Premier League matches. He edged Frank Ssebuufu of SC Villa and Ivan Mayanja of Maroons FC.

"Glory be to God. I thank my employers, NEC FC, for giving me the opportunity, and my teammates for their cooperation, together with the media," Ssebwalunyo said.

Eron Nandawula represented Jude Color Solutions while Alex Muhangi represented Fortebet.