Kiprotich favourite to land USPA Award

By Douglas Mazune

2012 Nile/USPA Sports personality:

Stephen Kiprotich (Athletics)

Joseph Lubega (Boxing)

Jas Mangat (Motor rally)

Team of the year contenders:

Motocross Team

Express Football club

Rugby Cranes

Rwenzori Warriors

Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) Nile Special Annual Sports Awards nights usually climax with that tense moment when guests cannot await announcement of the winner.

But not this time round when the sports scribe hold the ceremony at Imperal Royale Hotel on January 19.

The magnitude of success 2012 London Olympic marathon gold medalist Stephen Kiprotich achieved thrashes any kind of competition.

WBC-International heavyweight champion Joseph Lubega and National Rally Champion Jas Mangat made the shortlist for the sportsman of the year but pose not the slightest threat to Kiprotich.

“The nature of our system is that the runners-up and second runners-up have to be recognized as well,” USPA president Mark Namanya responded to members’ demands that Kiprotich who won Uganda’s only Olympic gold in 40 years should be unanimously voted.

With the country’s biggest sports achiever in 40 years set to be crowned, Namanya promised a glitz dinner this year.

“We are organizing a more glamourous dinner. It’s not only going to be better than the one we had last year but galas held before. We want to have the best possible awards night this year,” Namanya stated amidst applauds.

The team of the year award presents the biggest contest amongst Rugby Cranes, Rwenzori Warriors, Motocross team and Express.

Cranes won the Elgon Cup for the first time in six years, Warriors won the East Africa Premier Cricket League, the Motocross team claimed Uganda’s first Africa championship and Express F.C won the 2011/2012 league. 

Both the sportsman and team of the year were voted for yesterday and will be announced at the awards gala on January 19.

Meanwhile, CECAFA champions Cranes won the December award having beaten the U-19 women cricket team that won the Africa championship. Sportsmen and women who excelled in the various sports disciplines were voted as well. 

The annual award gala is exclusively sponsored by Nile Special.

Athletics

Male: Stephen kiprotich

Female: Sarah Nambawa

Badminton

Male: Daniel Mihigo

Female: Shamim Bangi

Table tennis

Male: Kevin Mafabi

Female: Ludiya Natunga

Weight lighting

Male: Jamil Lubega

Boxer: Joseph Lubega

Footballer

Ibrahim Sekagya

Rally crew of the year

Jas Mangat/ Gihan De Silva

Golf

Female: Flavia Namakula

Male: Phillip Kasozi

Cricket

Male: Benjamin Musoke

Female: Mary Nalule

Pool

Female: Carol Kanzira

Male: Alfred Gumikiriza

Tennis: David Oringa

Karate

Male: Eddie Ssempijja

Female: Hawa Nassimbwa

Woodball

Male: Collins Ssemanda

Female: Lillian Zawedde

Rugby

Male: Brian Odong

Female: Brenda Kayiyi

Basketball

Male: Norman Blick

Female: Flavia Oketcho

Motocross

Fortune Sentamu

Chess

Male: Harold Wanyama

Female: Phionah Mutesi

Volleyball

Male: George Aporu

Female: Jessica Kaidu

Netball

Peace Proscovia

Cycling: Leon Twaha

Darts

Male: Ronald Kalete

Female: Dina Amoding

Kickboxing

Ronald Mugula

Ludo

Patrick Ssemakula

Swimming

Tendo Mukalazi

Squash

Michael Kawooya

Hockey

Male: Thomas Opio

Female: Aisha Kagere

Handball

Ibrahim Kong