By Charles Mutebi

There was a sense of perfect timing about Steven Omony stepping to the free-throw line with microseconds left in Uganda’s FIBA Afrobasket Zone V Qualifier against Rwanda on Sunday at Lugogo.

For Omony, this was the moment to enjoy the praise his legendary basketball career deserves. It was the moment of his career. From his awe-inspiring start with the Falcons, to his professional stint in Seychelles, back to Uganda with the Eagles and Falcons. This was the moment.

From one disappointing Zone V campaign after another, this was the moment.

The crowd knew it too and started serenading the Silverbacks captain with chants of “MVP, MVP” as he made one of two free-throws to ice Uganda’s 69-61 win over Rwanda and their ticket to the Afrobasket Championship.

Omony has given so much to Ugandan basketball, he deserved scoring a game-high 25 points against Rwanda. He deserved going to the free throw line so the crowd could exalt him. He deserved qualifying for the Afrobasket Championship, something he’s always dreamed of.

“This is the highlight of my career,” Omony conceded. “Over 15 years of hard work have proved worth it.”

Omony’s comments are a carbon copy of what Henry Malinga, the most popular Silverback, said. Malinga, one of the greatest post-players in the history of Zone V basketball, has towered over the local game like a skyscraper for years.

Malinga deserved to be a part of this too. His humility, sportsmanship and post-play have been unbelievable. Malinga has been unbelievable.
Asked what made them special, both players answered, “hard work”.