Volleyball: Dickens Otim favourite to win MVP award

By Swalley Kenyi

Where as Sport-S VC missed the NSSF Volleyball League trophy their player Dickens Otim is tipped to walk away with not less than three trophies at the Uganda Volleyball Federation annual dinner Friday.

Otim is contesting the MVP award as well as receiver, attacker, blocker and defender of the year in the men’s category and his consistence for Sport-S during the season gives him clear advantage over the rest.

Together with Vision Volleyball Camp’s Peace Busingye, Otim is tipped to win the NSSF Volleyball League Most Valuable Players accolade at a glamorous dinner at Kati Kati Restaurant.

Going by the awards committee’s statistics based criteria, Otim and Busingye are ranked above their opponents because they have also gathered points in other categories of the contest.

His challengers for the MVP award KAVC’s Daudi Okello and reigning MVP Nemostars’ George Aporu must statistically be ranking below Otim.

Okello was inconsistent for his club as he had to take a break to do school examinations although his return eventually KAVC won the league. Aporo played five games less because his Nemostars team was eliminated in the semifinals.

In the women’s category, Busingye is nominated for the MVP award as well as server, receiver, attacker, blocker and defender of the year. Ndejje's Christine Alupo is lined up for the MVP as well as receiver, blocker and defender of the year.

Busingye and current MVP Irene Adeke, who was more reliable for her team, play for reigning champions Vision Volleyball Camp.

UVF has resolved to give the MVPs sh200000 each while the rest of the winners will pocket sh100000 and trophies courtesy of the league sponsors NSSF for their hard work.

KAVC men and Vision Volleyball Camp women will also be crowned the NSSF Volleyball League Champions 2014 with a trophy and a cash of sh2.6m each.

Sky Volleyball Club men will be crowned the Serie B champions while Vision Volleyball Camp men will receive the Serie C trophies only. Sky and VVC have also been promoted to Serie A and B respectively.

List of nominees for the awards

Women, Server of year

Josephine Namanda, Peace Busingye (VVC) Margret Namyalo (Ndejje)

Receiver of year

Christine Alupo (Ndejje), Vivian Adeke, Peace Busingye (VVC)

Setter of year

Winnie Nakabubi (Ndejje), Viola Akisa (VVC), Adella Asiimire (Nkumba)

Attacker of year

Peace Busingye (VVC), Saidat Nnungi (Ndejje), Astreede Agaaba (Nkumba)

Blocker of year

Christine Alupo (Ndejje), Irene Adeke, Peace Busingye (VVC)

Defender of year

Vivian Adeke, Peace Busingye (VVC), Christine Alupo (Ndejje)

Libero of year

Sharon Pajije (VVC), Flavia Nandawula (Nkumba)

MVP

Christine Alupo (Ndejje) Irene Adeke, Peace Busingye (VVC)

Men, Server of year

George Aporu (Nemostars), Dickens Otim (Sport-S), Joel Endra (KAVC)

Receiver of year

Tom Amou (Nemostars), Joel Endra (KAVC), Dickens Otim (Sport-S)

Setter of year

Albert Gayi (Sport-S), Smith Okumu (Nemostars), Martin Kalema (KAVC)

Attacker of year

Daudi Okello (KAVC), Ivan Ongom, Dickens Otim (Sport-S)

Blocker of year

Dickens Otim (Sport-S), Saviour Atama (KAVC), Cyprian Uwimana (Sport-S)

Defender of year

Joel Endra (KAVC), Dickens Otim (Sport-S), Alex Nduhukire (KAVC)

Libero of year

Stephen Oguti (Sport-S), Emma Elanyu (KAVC)

MVP

Dickens Otim (Sport-S), Daudi Okello (KAVC), George Aporu (Nemostars)