Uganda's African Games' stars recognised

Uganda’s star performers from the African Games have received special recognition from the organisers of the Fortebet Real Stars Awards.

Weightlifter David Niyoyita, footballer Hakim Mutebi, badminton player Husina Kobugabe, and rugby player Lydia Namabiro were recognized for their outstanding performance for team Uganda, having contributed several medals that helped Uganda finish 13th overall out of 40 countries that managed medals.

Mutebi a silver medalist with the football team was recognized especially for his performance against DR Congo. The team came from a goal down to win 4-2 in the semifinals where Mutebi netted one of the goals.

“I’m happy to have won it because I wasn’t expecting it and I want to thank the organisers and sponsors for believing in me; this is energizing and pushes me to perform even better in the future,” Mutebi said.

“My dream is to turn pro and play for some of those big clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool, and Manchester City but I have to first perform to my best locally before I can get that opportunity,” Mutebi, who last year also picked the CECAFA U-18 tournament MVP award in Kenya, said.

For rugby star Black Pearls Lydia Namabiro who helped the Uganda Women Rugby 7S team clinch gold at the Africa Games and also in Ghana, the award is the first that has opened the door for many such awards she expects in the future.

“This award means so much to me and I’m so happy to have won it. It is a motivator to even more hard work on the pitch and I thank God for it,” Namabiro who started the game in 2012 as a Primary Seven pupil, said.

Footballer Hakim Mutebi (left) receives his award from Fortebet's Resty Namugema at Lazio Restaurant. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

“It was tough in Ghana but we exhibited teamwork and cooperation and displayed the hunger to win it more than our opponents. I’m looking forward to winning more of these awards. I want to thank my coaches who have been patient with me and my teammates,” Namabiro stated.

She scored six tries in Ghana with a women of the tournament performance that ensured Uganda won the gold as the sport debuted at the games.

Kakungulu Memorial School S.4 Weightlifter Davis Niyoyita who became the first Ugandan to win silver at that level was also recognized for his two silver and a bronze in the 55kg from the games where he lifted a total of 210kg in the clean and jerk and 90kgs in the snatch event.

The school head Jamil Buwembo picked the award for Niyoyita who praised him for his hard work and discipline. “I thank the organisers of these awards for the recognition, it is very good and encouraging even for the school to continue helping such students who are not well-off but are good in sports,” Buwembo said.

Badminton star Husina Kobugabe was the other player who also received an award in absentia as she is still in Europe trying to pursue Olympic qualification. At the games, she picked a doubles gold when she teamed up with Gladys Mbabazi before she settled for an individual silver in the singles after she fell to South Africa’s Johanita Scholtz 2-1 in the final.

Real Stars March Awardees

Rugby

Lydia Namabiro

Badminton

Husina Kobugabe

Football

Hakim Mutebi

Weightlifting

Davis Niyoyita