Wakiso Giants attacking defender Moses Aliro and Heathens Rugby Club’s Innocent Gwokto want their January Fortebete Real Stars Monthly Awards to inspire them to many more such awards.

The two including rally driver Ponsiano Lwakataka scooped the January gongs after topping the nomination lists in their respective disciplines.

Aliro’s two goals, one in their dramatic 4-3 win against BUL and another in the Uganda Cup Round of 64 against Kiyinda Boys ensured he beat Gadaffi FC’s midfielder Yasin Sibira and URA FC goalkeeper Nafian Alionzi to the award.

On his part, Gwokto’s performance in the league especially against their rivals Kobs in the 7-6 win ensured he got the award ahead of his captain Michael Wokorach and Stanbic Black Pirates’ Ivan Magomu.

The winners of the Fortebet Real Stars Awards for the month of January, L-R: Ponsiano Lwakatakas navigator Paul Musaazi (left), Moses Aliro, Rose Lwakataka and Heathens Innocent Gwokto

“This award has energised me; it is a motivation and I hope to continue working hard to win many more such awards. As a team, our ambition is to remain on top of the league and we intend to stay there until we are crowned champions,” Gwokto said.

“It was due to commitment and hard work that I won this award. I would like to thank my teammates and technical team who also worked hard to ensure we won those tough games. This is a motivator for me to work hard and win similar accolades,” Aliro stated.

The Lwakataka rally fans chairman Enock Mayanja accompanied by Lwakataka’s wife Rose and navigator Paul Musaazi picked the rally award with Mayanja calling on more potential sponsors to come on board to support Lwakataka.

“Our car is maintained by fans so we would like more support to strengthen this winning team. We have to win the 2022 championship,” Mayanja vowed.

“Our vehicle is not yet at its best and we won with it at 65% percent but we expect to improve it before the next event and we should be able to win again. Our service crew were very crucial in that win and I would like to thank them,” Musaazi added

Rose Lwakataka promised to make a comeback ‘if she can be supported like his husband’ and prophesied that his husband will win rally after rally because he is newly wedded and got a blessing from the church.

Co-sponsors Jude Color Solutions’ John Zzimbe the Head of Marketing and Promotions reiterated that they were committed to the awards as a way of rewarding excellence and called for more efforts in improving sport which is now a business.

Alex Muhangi the brand ambassador Fortebet hailed the organisers of the awards for sticking to the awards even in the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown and promised that the company will continue supporting the awards.

“It is good to note that the best players and nominees in January were from the so-called small teams like Wakiso Giants and Gadaffi. The rally season started well and the rugby league is also ongoing, and we are hoping for a very productive year because the lockdown was lifted and we expect all sports disciplines to begin their activities from where we expect many more winners starting from this month,” Real Awards chairman Isaac Mukasa stated.