The Basketball Africa League (BAL) in collaboration with New Fortress Energy, a global energy infrastructure company has awarded City Oilers point guard Tonny Drileba the 2023 BAL Ubuntu trophy.

The award is in line with recognition of his ongoing efforts to use basketball to positively impact the lives of youth in his native Uganda.

Throughout the year, Drileba was consistently involved in over 20 free basketball clinics in Naguru and Kawempe reaching out to nearly 500 youths and children through basketball on top of offering them life skills and free equipment like balls and shoes.

Drileba who is currently the assistant coach of Angels Basketball Club has also hugely participated in the club’s community outreach projects across the country, including youth clinics and life-skills seminars at Nakivale Refugee Camp in Western Uganda.

He became the first Ugandan to win the BAL Ubuntu Trophy which is awarded annually to an individual or organisation that has made an impact on the local community during the BAL season.

In recognition of Drileba’s efforts, the BAL and NFE presenting partner of the Ubuntu Trophy – will donate $5,000 (sh19m) to a charitable organisation of his choice in Uganda.

He said that the award is going to push him further to continue using basketball to reach out to different communities.

“I am extremely humbled to have won this award, which in all hope will shine more light on the social issues I have sought to tackle in my community,” said Drileba.

“Going forward, I am excited to continue working with the youth, empowering them through basketball and bringing positive change to disadvantaged communities.”

BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall said efforts like the one of Drileba motivate the BAL household a lot beyond the court.

“The BAL Ubuntu Trophy recognises outstanding leadership and consistent acts of service that uplift people and communities. Drileba’s efforts are inspiring to the entire BAL family and a testament to the transformative power of basketball and its ability to be a force for good beyond the court.” noted Amadou

Previously, the BAL Ubuntu trophy was won by Hichem Benayad-Cherif (Algeria’s Groupement Sportif des Pétroliers; 2021) and Jean-Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza (Rwanda Energy Group Basketball Club) in 2022.

During the 2023 BAL Season, Drileba averaged 5.6 points in three games against the Cape Town Tigers (South Africa), Ferroviàrio da Beira (Mozambique) and Petro de Luanda (Angola).

He also competed at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers and the 2021 FIBA AfroBasket tournament as a member of the Uganda Men’s National Team.

Drileba also won the 2022 USPA male basketball player of the year after guiding the Oilers to their eighth NBL title.