The Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year in a special event rewarding the excelling sports personalities from 2019.
The event which was initially scheduled to take place in April 2020, was pushed forward due to Covid-19 pandemic and a ban on public gatherings.
Long distance runner Joshua Cheptegei, middle-distance runner Halima Nakaayi and Uganda Cranes striker Emmanuel Okwi are the nominees for the top award – Sports personality of the year.
Cheptegei was voted the winner of the USPA Fans Choice Award. He will take the award after garnering 70 per cent of the fan votes.
The Uganda national womem’s U-17 football team that won the COSAFA U-17 championship, the Cricket Cranes that stood out at the Cricket World Cup Challenge League in Oman, Proline FC that won both the Big League and the Uganda Cup and the Uganda Cross Country athletics team that won gold in Denmark will battle for the team of the year award.
There will also be awards rewarded for; the best organized event, the best run federation among others.
USPA recognizes the best sports personalities per month when they hold their respective monthly conventions. These are followed by the end of year dinner where all the excelling sportsmen and women are rewarded at a glamorous ceremony.
This year’s gala will be held on Wednesday, 18th November 2020 Victoria Ball room at Kampala Serena Hotel.
Sports Personality of the year nominees
Joshua Cheptegei
Halima Nakaayi
Emmanuel Okwi
Team of the year nominees
U-17 Girls’ team
Men’s Athletics Cross Country team
Proline FC
Best organised Event nominees:
Uganda Golf Open
National Open Boxing Championship
FUFA Drum
Individual Winners Disciplines:
Rugby
Men: Pius Ogena
Women: Samiya Ayikoru
Volleyball
Male: Daudi Okello
Female: Grace Akiror
Basketball
Male: James Okello
Female: Hope Akello
Handball
Men: Ibrahim Kongo
Women: Lilian Achola.
Athletics
Men: Joshua Cheptegei
Female: Halima Nakaayi
Cricket
Male: Shazad Kamal
Female: Janet Mbabazi
Golf
Male: Joseph Cwinya-ai
Female: Martha Babirye
Darts
Male: Patrick Ochieng
Female: Sarah Makanga
Football
Men: Emmanuel Okwi
Female: Juliet Nalukenge
Badminton
Male: Daniel Muhigo
Female: Aisha Nakiyemba
Woodball
Male: Brian Bwaka
Female: Denise Nanjeru
Pool
Male: Ibrahim Ssejjemba
Female: Zaimat Nambafu
Karate
Male: Abdallah Adam
Female: Catherine Asiimwe
Chess
Male: Harold Wanyama
Female: Maria Nakanyike
Legendary Award: Neko Muduse-Ojala (Volley ball legend)
Fans Choice: Joshua Cheptegei
Boxing: David Ssemujju
Lawn Tennis: Troy Zziwa
Kick Boxing:Patricia Apolot
Weight lifting: Zubair Kubo
Body Building: Isaac Mubikirwa
Cycling: Aziz Ssempijja
Squash: Ian Rukunya
Ludo: Tom Kasozi
Netball: Stella Oyella
Rallying:The Crew of Yasin Nasser & Ali Katumba
Hockey: Emmanuel Baguma
