KCCAFC and Uganda Cranes playmaker Allan Okello was on Saturday night crowned the best male football player of the year 2019 during a colorful Airtel-FUFA awards ceremony orgnised by Kibo media at the Speke resort, Munyonyo.
On the same night, Kawempe Muslim and Uganda Crested Cranes star Juliet Nalukenge was crowned the best female football player of the year. Both winners drove home brand new cars and Shs1m courtesy of sponsors Airtel-Uganda.
Okello, a product of the famous annual Airtel Rising Stars (ARS) U17 football tournament, won the StarTimes Uganda Premier League, the FUFA Super Cup and the CECAFA Kagame Cup and was part of the Cranes team that qualified for the 2020 Championship of African Nations (CHAN).
“I want to thank my coach who scouted me back in the village, coach Mike Mutebi and Abdullah Mubiru. I dedicate this award to my dad and late mum (RIP) -that thank you for bringing me up. We have all won; last year I think I was the second but now I am here. I am very excited and my brother Kizza and Anukani are all deserved winners,” noted Okello.
The 19-year old, who came second to Moses Waiswa in last year’s awards, beat teammate Mustapha Kizza, who registered similar achievements and Proline FC’s Bright Anukani, who guided Proline FC to a double (The StarTimes FUFA Big League where he was named the MVP and Stanbic Uganda Cup on top of guiding the side to the premier league.
This was the first official function graced by FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo on his return from a two-month suspension with Prof. Mondo Kagonyera representing the Minister of Education and Sports, who is also the First Lady Hon. Janet Kataha Museveni.
The main sponsors Airtel-Uganda, represented by Managing director V.G Somasekhar, injected Shs100m into the awards while other partners were Bet Lion, Nile Special, Bidco Uganda Limited, Pepsi, BBS TV, NIC Holdings, 102.1 FUFA FM and Ecobank Uganda.
All Winners:
Airtel Male Footballer of the Year: Allan Okello
Airtel Female Footballer of the Year: Juliet Nalukenge
Airtel – FUFA Fans Team of the year: Acholi Province
Airtel – FUFA Beach Soccer Player of the Year: Sulaiman Ochero
Airtel – FUFA Member Association of the Year: Uganda Beach Soccer Association (UBSA)
Airtel – FUFA Fans Favourite Foreign based player of the Year: Abdul Lumala
Airtel – FUFA Upcoming Talent of the Year: Gavin Kizito Mugweri (SC Villa & Uganda U-20)
Airtel – FUFA Best Squad (Team): Team of 1978
