Nominees
MVP
Men
Marlon Ondiege
Jude Keremundu
Benon Kiiza
Women
Brenda Kayiyi
Christine Kizito
Charlotte Mudoola
Helen Gizamba
Upcoming
Men:
Marlon Ondiege
Philip Pario
Brian Atubikire
Juma Hillary
Women:
Regina Athieno

By Johnson Were

KENYAN youngsters Marlon Ondiege and Juma Hillary have been nominated for top Uganda Rugby Union awards due today at Sheraton Hotel.

Ondiege and Hillary, both featuring for Pirates in the league are shortlisted for the 2010 MVP and upcoming player of the year respectively.

“I am delighted about the nomination. I am Kenyan but more Ugandan and that is why I will feature for the national U-19 team if selected,” Ondiege said.

Rugby development manager Ramsey Olinga when contacted stated, “They have proved good and the panel thought it fit to nominate them for the awards.”

Also nominated for the MVP award are Heathens’ Jude Keremundu, Benon Kiiza, Buffaloes’ Philip Pario and Brian Atubikire.

In the women’s category Black Panthers’ Regina Athieno has won the upcoming player award after she emerged the sole nominee.

It will be the third year in a row that the 18-year old is walking away with the award. Christine Kizito, Brenda Kayiyi (Thunderbirds), Charlotte Mudoola and Helen Gizamba of Panthers are eyeing the MVP award.

The ODM team will, meanwhile, lead three other Kenyan sides in the Nile Fun festival on Good Friday at the Dam Waters ground in Jinja.

The seven-a-side event that has Kyadondo side Kiboko Squad as defending champions has also attracted a Rwandan select side.


Nile club chairman Edward Ochieng confirmed the developments at a press briefing in Lugogo where Nile Breweries unveiled a sh30m sponsorship.

The winner’s prize has been raised to sh1.5m from the sh1m last year and the runners-up sh800,000 from sh500,000.

The brewers joined G4S, Rwenzori Water and Kampala Coaches in facilitating the event.