The Fortebet Real Stars Awards for April have fired up title talk and ambitions for some of the recipients who received theirs at Lazio Restaurant in Kololo on Tuesday.

The awardees who shone in six different sports disciplines that were recognised included footballer and SC Villa striker Charles Bbaale, rugby and Stanbic Pirates player Sydney Gongodyo, cricketer and Victoria Pearls Consy Aweko, netballer and Prisons Netball Club’s all-rounder Christine Namulumba, golfer and national team player Juma Abiti as well as a basketballer and Jaguars BC’s player Sarah Ageno.

“This award has given me something to think about and the belief that anything is possible because this was my first time to get nominated and win at the same time; which means all I have been doing is worthy of the effort and I only have to double that to win it again,” Bbaale, who has so far this season notched ten goals, said.

“I’m also going to aim for the top scorers' award because I’m only one goal away from the current leader and we are still on top of the league, so I still have hope that we can still win the league,” Bbaale stated.

Gongodyo said winning the award was a stepping stone that will also inspire others to work hard and get recognized. “I’m personally very encouraged to work harder. We are still fighting to win the league, the mood in the squad is very high and the mental energy is up there; so I believe we shall win the title,” Gongodyo stated.

For netballer Namulumba whose side has already been crowned champions, it is the grace of God that she is winning her second Real Stars award.

“When I won my first last year, I promised that I would return for more and here I ‘am. This goes in the record books and it means I have to work even harder to achieve more,” Namulumba who scored 791 goals and emerged top scorer in the league, stated.

Basketballer Sarah Ageno who bagged his ‘first of such awards’ said he was excited to have won and attributed it to hard work.

“My family keeps on pushing me to work hard and it's down to them because even when I’m injured, they push me through the treatment. I also thank my teammates and the team’s management who are always there for me,” Ageno stated.

She said the Jaguars were working hard towards winning the league title for the first time and are working on it, one game at a time.

Aweko, the Victoria Pearls captain was recognized for emerging as the best bowler who took 7 wickets and one Woman of the Match award in the Victoria Series held at Lugogo before she starred again for Uganda, picking six wickets in the Women’s Twenty-20 2023 Capricorn Women’s Quadrangular Series held in Namibia. Uganda emerged top after beating Namibia by 3 wickets in the final, in the event competed for by Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, and Uganda.

In the Victoria Series Uganda came top in the five-team championship that was contested by Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and UAE.

Sarah Makanga from the Bank of Uganda Darts Club who was among the stars from the March awards also received her gong which she said was inspiring. She called on the youth, especially young girls, to approach her for free training in Darts because the mathematical sport was destined for schools and institutions.

Henry Zzimbe and Resty Mbatidde the co-sponsors and sponsors of the awards urged the sports people to ensure consistency in their performances to win more.

“We are committed to continue supporting, encouraging, and motivating all the athletes that continue to excel at all levels,” Mbatidde said.