By Dorothy Nekesa.
Nile Special USPA Monthly Awards February 2023: Best of February: Jacob Kiplimo (Long distance Athlete) Promising Talent Award: Eric Ofoyuru (Badminton) Supportive / Assist Award: Nick Natuhereza (Basketball)
The Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) unanimously voted Jacob Kiplimo the USPA – Nile Special sports personality for the month of February 2023 following his Gold medal acquisition at the 2023 World Cross Country Championship in Bathurst city, Australia.
The Uganda Sports Press Association recently launched three more category awards in respect of promising Talent Award, Supportive Assist Award and the Sporting Award.
Fourteen years old Eric Ofoyuru from Pearl of Africa Academy won the promising talent award against world beaters making it to the draw of the Uganda Junior International Challenge. He is the 2021 World Secondary School Badminton Champion and National School games most valuable player. The youngster fetched 180 points brushing off challenge from Uganda Hippos Rogers Mugisha (175 ), Asubo Gafford Ladies’ Kamuyati Naigaga (155) and Amos Ayikoowa (115) of KCCA FC U17 side.
FUBA technical Director Nick Natuhereza scooped the Supportive/ assist award for improving alot of players and guiding careers. The Tactician ably stepped in for Gazelles coach Albert Antuna during the Zone V Afro basket qualifiers. He garnered 185 points outsmarting Uganda Badminton Association CEO Simon Mugabi (180), Asubo Gafford ladies’ Zaitun Namaganda (140) and coach Rogers Nkugwa (95 points).
The Uganda communications Commission bagged the sporting Award which is the only kind in which voting is limited to the Association Executive members.
The USPA assembly commended athletes Fadilah Shamikah Mohammed Raif after winning gold in Women’s singles category at the All Africa Senior Badminton Championships in South Africa despite being a junior. Fadilah also won three bronze (Women’s Singles, Doubles, Mixed Doubles) in the Uganda Junior International Challenge 2023 and the Gazelles who finished runners up in the Zone V Afro Basket Championship. Additionally Uganda Hippos forward Rogers Mugisha and defender Rogers Torach who were named in the best eleven of the group stages in the Africa U20 Nations Cup were honored too.
