The RealStar awards for best of September were held yesterday -Tuesday- in Kampala, and from the accolades given, Brenda Ekone, currently playing for the JKL Lady Dolphins in the National League was named the best basketball player.
This is the second time in a row Ekone is clinching the monthly award, and could also be the first-ever basketball player to do it with six nominations to her name.
Brenda has been pivotal in JKL Lady dolphins’ run to lead the Women National League Finals 2-1 against UCU Lady Canons in the best of Seven series which are underway with the fourth game slated for today.
After winning the award last month in August, Brenda promised to return and there was no better way to force the podium comeback than beating Nam-Blazers’ international Aerial Okal and City Oilers’ forward Tony Drilleba.
“I feel so happy and excited about this, I promised I would come back strong. The award motivates me to keep working hard. The race was tight with Tony and Okal but I believe it’s not a one-man’s show for me to win so I thank every single effort that has made sure I walk away with it once again.”
“We are currently playing the final series and I want to win the October award as well so am motivated to look at the Championship title to make my return here possible.”
To walk away with the footballers’ best of September was (SLAU) St Lawrence University’s Bruno Bunyaga who led both his teams SLAU and Buddu FC into the semi-finals of the University league and the Masaza Cup.
Bunyaga scored three goals at Buddu, two against Mawogola, and one against Mawokota to make the semifinals of the Masaza cup, and in the University League, he scored a hat-trick against Kampala University to inspire St Lawrence University into the semifinals.
As a norm for Athletes to attribute their success stories to God and their Coaches, Bruno is no exception, as he talks about winning the award.
“I thank God for helping me perform well in all the competitions I’ve been a part of. The reason behind my success is hard work and obedience to my Coaches.” He told Afrosports.
Bruno beat competition from University teammate Blanchar Mulamba and Sand Cranes’ Ambrose Kigozi to win the award.
Ambrose Kigozi scored nine goals to emerge second on the top scorer’s chart at the recently concluded COSAFA Beach Soccer Championship in South Africa.
The other winners of the day were Cricketer Riazat Ali Shah and Jacob Kiplimo. Riazat put up a spectacular display as the Cricket Cranes defeated Tanzania by eight wickets to win the inaugural T20 Africa Championship.
He was nominated alongside Teammate Juma Miyagi and Under-19’s Patricia Timong.
The awards are held monthly sponsored by Fortebet and Jude Colour Solutions, to recognize excelling sportsmen and women.
On a special occasion, present to award the winners yesterday was Victoria University’s Vice Chancellor Lawrence Muganga, who pledged one million shillings extra to the winners, on top of the accolade and cash from the Real Star Agency.
