Controversy dominates FUBA awards

By Charles Mutebi

FUBA Awards

NBL

MVP Regular season: Bernard Okumu

MVP Finals: Kami Kabange

WNBL

MVP Regular season: Carol Nyafono

MVP Finals: Peace Proscovia

Div 1 men

MVP Regular season: Sam Akudo

MPV Finals: Frank Ikabat

Div 1 women

MVP Regular season: Sylvia Nakazibwe

MVP Finals: Rita Imanishimwe

Development League

MVP Regular season: John Dabo

MVP Finals: Moses Muhumuza 

THE FUBA awards dinner, held Saturday at Imperial Royale, lived up to expectations on many things. Like the glamour, excitement and the recognition of every club in the FUBA leagues with at least a certificate. 

But it also delivered some major shocks. Vegetarian’s Bernard Okumu was named regular season MVP of the men’s National Basketball League in a jolting announcement that continued FUBA’s scandalising of the most prestigious individual award in Ugandan basketball. 

In 2011, Geoffrey Soro scooped the same prize in a shock decision that raised more questions than answers. Okumu’s award may be worse even though it is easy to understand why FUBA’s technical committee thought the Vegetarian big deserved recognition. 

Okumu was the top-scorer in the regular season with 340 points and he was also the lead rebounder in an impressive personal campaign.

But one question remains. How can the league’s MVP come from a team that won four games out of 21, finishing 10th out of 12 teams?

In other words, where is the V (value) in the MVP (most valuable player) if it does not reflect in the Ws (wins)? 

Such controversy continues to highlight the doubts surrounding FUBA’s technical arm in making technical decisions. Consider also the fact that Peace Proscovia was beaten to the regular season award in the women’s NBL despite carrying the UCU Canons to a record of 21 wins and no losses.

Instead, the award went to Magic Stormers’ Carol Nyafono, who played well but no where near Proscovia. 

Fortunately, Proscovia was rightfully named Finals MVP as was City Oil’s Kami Kabange for leading their teams to the championship in their respective divisions.