The 2021-2022 Nile Special USPA Gala has been rescheduled by a week, as confirmed by the association’s president, Moses Alsayed Lubega, during the monthly assembly at the Imperial Royale Hotel on Monday morning.
Initially slated for September 16th, 2023, the Gala will now occur at the Imperial Royale Hotel on September 23rd, 2023.
Lubega explained: “The date was amended to ensure we cover all the necessary details for the day. We expect over 500 guests and plan to ensure the gathering gets the attention and grandeur it deserves.”
During the same assembly, Joshua Cheptegei and Victor Kiplangat were unanimously voted the joint winners of the USPA Nile Special Sports Personalities for August.
Joshua Cheptegei successfully defended his 10,000m World title at the 2023 World Athletics Championship in Budapest, Hungary, becoming the first Ugandan to win and protect a World title twice.
Victor Kiplangat became the second Ugandan to win the Marathon World title by triumphing in the 42KM race in Budapest last month.
The Cricket Cranes, who retained the East Africa T20 Cup in Kigali, Rwanda, were highly praised for their performance, winning 11 out of 12 games played against Rwanda and Tanzania.
Other commendations included Jacob Sande winning bronze in the 1500m at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago, clocking a time of 3:37.66.
Victor Cherotich also secured bronze in the 3000m Steeplechase at the same games with a time of 8:19.31.
The Uganda Scrabble team, which finished second in the PANASA Championship in Nigeria, was recognised, with Richard Geria and Edgar Odongkara’s extraordinary performance, ranking fifth and sixth out of 124 players.
Fred Mugerwa, the She Cranes head coach, received the Supportive Award for guiding Uganda to fifth place at the 2023 Netball World Cup. Mugerwa received 295 votes, surpassing Athletics coach Benjamin Njia, who polled 265.
Fourteen-year-old Badminton player Eric Ofoyuru was awarded the Promising Young Talent Award with 225 votes. He claimed gold in the U16 singles at the East Africa Secondary Schools Games in Rwanda, finishing runner-up in the U19 category and reaching the semifinals in the U17 category. His performances elevated his school, Kakungulu Memorial, to a silver medal at the same games.
Furthermore, Professor Badru Kateregga of Kampala University received the Sporting Award. His immense contribution to sports has enriched the careers of athletes and teams.
USPA members were also educated on how the new National Sports ACT 2023 will impact their work, positively or negatively, with insights provided by FUFA Legal Director Denis Lukambi.
