Stanbic Black Pirates’ Arnold Atukunda has dedicated his Fortebet Real Stars Sports Award to his mother. He was named best of July in the rugby category during the awards session that happened on Tuesday, 8th August 2023 at Lazio Bar and Restaurant in Kololo, Kampala.
While giving his victory speech at the awards ceremony, Atukunda devoted the award to his mother, Beatrice Kyomuhangi whom he says impacted his rugby career and he is grateful for all she has done for him.
“My mother has always been my biggest supporter from when I started playing rugby in 2013, she has supported me since then till today. You know sports has very many challenges along the way but if you have someone close to you supporting you, you will never fail. I dedicate this award to her,” Atukunda said adding that there has been a number of other people supporting him but his mother has been outstanding.
To win the award, Atukunda beat tight competition from Kobs’ Pius Ogena and Black Pearls’ Emily Lekuru. Atukunda is credited for leading Pirates to two National Sevens (Nile Special 7s) circuit wins of Stone City 7s in Jinja and Kitgum 7s. The Pirates winger collected 22 tries making a total of 110 points and is the second try scorer in the series at the moment. The motor vehicle mechanic also emerged MVP of Kitgum Sevens.
“Getting an award is not simple especially in rugby because it’s an intense sport. It’s an honor but I hope many more will come through,” Atukunda noted adding that he hopes to turn up in style for the remaining legs of the local 7s series.
Meanwhile, at the same awards session, Flavia Kusiima was named winner in the Draughts category beating competition from Dan Isabirye and Lilian Namujjuzi. Kusiima secured six medals in Zambia during the third African draughts64 championship and world cup event.
She got a Gold medal in Brazilian Draughts, blitz during the African championship. She had silver medal in Pool checkers draughts and came 3rd in Russian draughts. She was given the title WFM (women master of federation) by the International Draughts Federation (IDF). She is the first lady in the history of Uganda to acquire such a title.
In the world cup event, Flavia was second in Brazilian draughts (silver medal), third in Pool checkers and third in Russian draughts. Flavia got medals in all the events involving women.
In the rally category, the Moil Rally crew of Yasin Nasser and Ali Katumba emerged winners beating competition from Ronald Ssebuguzi/Anthony Mugambwa and Ibrahim Lubega/Mustapha Kanakulya. The duo made a fifth appearance at the awards podium and making it for the fourth time in a row. Yasin Nasser and Ali Katumba won the EMC Moil Jinja Rally beating Ronald Ssebuguzi and Anthony Mugambwa who finished second.
Nasser and Katumba spent one hour, 21 minutes and 34 seconds on the road before winning.
In the basketball category, Gazelles small forward Jannon Otto emerged winner. She was pitted with Jane Asinde and Joel Rigette. Otto left the FIBA Women Afro-Basket in Kigali, Rwanda as the best forward and the tournament top scorer after collecting 128 points in six games.
In the tournament which was won by Nigeria after beating Senegal 84-74 for both teams to qualify for the next year Olympic Games, Otto guided the Gazelles to the seventh position finish, which is the best position ever for the team. Uganda finished 7th after beating Guinea 85-44.
Sarah Nazziwa was announced winner in the para badminton category beating competition from Harriet Nakayima and Elizabeth Mwesigwa. Nazziwa won two bronze medals at the Uganda International Para Badminton that happened in Lugogo, Kampala. She went on to win two golds and one silver at the Para Africa Badminton still at the same venue. One gold was picked in the doubles after a successful combination with Egyptian Shaimaa to beat Nigeria’s Chukwuemeka and Uganda’s Sylivia Nakanda. The second gold, Nazziwa picked it from the wheelchair one singles, after beating teammate Flavia Basuuta 21-6, 21-12.
Crested Cranes forward Fazila Ikwaput claimed the football gong beating competition from Stuart Kezaala and Yusuf Mukwana. The lanky striker helped the Crested Cranes passed Rwanda in the first round of the Olympic qualifier.
Fazila was on scoresheet in Uganda 3-3 draw against the visitors in first round and she scored the lone goal that gave Uganda a 4-3 win on aggregate in the second leg in Kigali.
The Tuesday awards session was graced by Real Stars Sports Agency CEO, Isaac Mukasa, Fortebet’s Resty Mbatidde and and Henry Zzimbe from Jude Color Solutions who are partners.
