Grace Nabaggala was named the best of January 2024 in the rugby category during the Fortebet Real Stars Sports Monthly Awards session that happened on Tuesday at Lazio Bar and Restaurant in Kololo, Kampala.
To win the award, Nabaggala beat competition from Lady Cranes Sevens Captain Peace Lekuru and Heathens’ Malcolm Okello.
It was the first time ever for Nabaggala to have the accolade at her grasp. In her acceptance speech, she expressed her gratitude and excitement at being able to win the award for the first time.
“I feel very happy, excited and humbled for winning this award. It has never happened before and I believe it will happen again because I am going to put in great work for both club and country,” Nabaggala said adding that she dedicates the award to her mother and teammates.
Nabaggala who is the Kisubi Pacers and Lady Rugby Cranes Sevens hooker helped the national side finish fourth in the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger Series in Dubai last month. Nabaggala collected 25 points with an addition of four from the conversion to make a total of 29 points.
In Dubai, Uganda produced arguably the shock of the women’s tournament as they overcame Belgium, who had beaten them in Pool A, in the quarter-finals, having made it through the pool stage as the eighth seed. They won the tie 17-12.
The Lady Cranes Sevens were unable to build on that result on day three, however, as they conceded seven tries against China, their only consolation coming via Agnes Nakuya’s late try. The side lost 05-45 to China women’s 7s in the 3rd/4th placement fixture.
“Things were tough in Dubai because it was our first time in the tournament. The games were very competitive but we managed to finish fourth out of the 12 teams just because we gave it our all,” Nabaggala added.
The bigger and better than ever 2024 edition of the Challenger Series will continue at Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo, Uruguay on 8-10 March before standalone women’s and men’s events at Henryk Reyman’s Municipal Stadium in Krakow, Poland and Dantestadion in Munich, Germany respectively on 18-19 May.
Nabaggala is currently part of the Lady Cranes Sevens training squad preparing for the next leg of the Challenger series. The side is training regularly at Kyadondo Rugby Club in Kampala.
Meanwhile, there were three other categories that were awarded on Tuesday.
In the table tennis category youngster Joseph Ssebatindira was named winner beating competition from Jemimah Nakawala and Jonathan Ssenyonga. The 9 year old went to Doha for the World Table Tennis Youth Contender where he managed to win again the U-11 category like last year in Cairo, Egypt. He thumped Saudi Arabia’s Faris Ali 3-0. Ssebatindira went on to win the U-13 category overcoming the host’s AbdulAziz Abdullah by 3-1.
In the hockey category Weatherhead midfielder Collins Batusa was named winner beating competition from Kampala’s Lucky Akello and Wananchi’s Jordan Achaye. Batusa was pivotal for Weatherhead in January as the side won both the men’s National Hockey League and Uganda Cup in the same month. He scored one goal in the league game against KHC Stallions and made an assist towards Maxwell Mugisa’s goal. Batusa also scored one of the four goals his side got during the cup final against Wananchi.
Kamada Ntege was named winner in the boxing category beating competition from Isaac Zebra Jr and Farahat Manirola. Ntege won the ABU East and Central Regional title, he beat Ali Hamis Muzei from Tanzania at Club Obligato.
The Tuesday awards session was graced by Real Stars Sports Agency CEO, Isaac Mukasa, Fortebet Uganda ambassador Alex Muhangi and and Henry Zzimbe from Jude Color Solutions who are partners.
