Africa-Press – Uganda. For the first time in the history of the Fortebet Real Stars Awards, eight athletes were awarded with plaques and cash prizes for outstanding performances in the month of September. But the podium was dominated by newbies, who were collecting the awards for the first time.
Ludo league Most Valuable Player Moses Kirumira, Weatherhead’s Raid Kiyemba, rookie basketballer Matthew Kisakye, marathoner Martin Masau, Vipers’ Bobosi Byaruhanga and cricketer Riazat Ali Shah, were the first-timers on the eight-man cast.
Shah, 23 was picked as best for September for his heroics during the Pearl of Africa T20 and Derby Trophy Series. He was the highest run-scorer for Uganda in the Tri-series for Uganda scoring 162 runs in seven games at an average of 32 and a strike rate of 148.
Solid batsman
Analysts see the 2018 Uspa Male Cricketer of the Year as a multi-dimensional batsman who can score runs without necessarily losing his wicket.
For good measure, Shah celebrated the milestone of winning his first Real Stars accolade as a jubilation. “I am really happy. I know with hard work I can still get better. When you do something great, you are inspired to do even more,” Sha said in a brief acceptance speech.
It was a historic achievement for Ludo as a sport after they received their first nomination to the monthly awards. Moses Kirumira, who spurred Kireka-Kisansa Club to the national league trophy did not see this coming.
“I was surprised when I was called about the award. This is going to open more doors of opportunity for us,” Kirumira said. Kirumira was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament as the club won their first league trophy since they started in 2017 edging reigning Africa Club champions Nansana Galaxy by a point after 15 games.
Long distance runner Martin Masau set a new precedent as a first timer walking away with the best athlete of the month award edging national mountain running winning duo of Jacob Kiplimo and Annet Chelangat. Masau, 23, won the 35th Hamburg Marathon in Germany on his debut after 2:10:14 hours.
He said during his victory that: “I was aiming for a time under 2:10 hours, but I got muscular problems in the final section. The fact that it was still enough to win makes the success all the greater and makes me very happy.”
Kibuli SS basketball player Matthew Kisakye, who played a starring role as Uganda won gold in the 3×3 basketball after overcoming hosts Serbia at the International Sports Federations U15 World School Sport Games in Belgrade, has warned that that award is the first of the many to come.
“Thank you all, guys for this award. Many more awards will come as I try to reach my dream of playing in the NBA becoming better,” the younger brother of KCCA Panthers player Mark Bamutende, said.
Kisakye, an academy player with iHoops, also won the shooting competition as he landed the MVP accolade.
Second accolade
But the rallying sensation of Yasin Nasser and Ali Katumba kept on winning, taking their second accolade in a space of just three months. The duo had finished third at the Zambia International Rally.
Daudi Okello beat teammates George Aporu and Smith Okumu to land the Volleyball award while Vipers youngster Bobosi Byaruhanga was the best in football.
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