“I was Green about Rugby when I was introduced to it,” Six years later, Musasizi is a Superstar in Making
By: kayiirajackson@gmail.com
Rugby is one of the vibrant sports disciplines in Uganda and it’s most loved by the people in elite class.
It’s a contact and a risky sport according to a way it’s played but again that doesn’t deter kids to join it.
The just concluded Fresh Dairy Games which were held at Ndejje SS in Luweero District, a number of talents were unearthed and among those is Matthew Musasizi, the 18-year-old student from St Mary’s College Kisubi.
Though his school lost the final 15-12 against their immediate rivals, Kings College Buddo, Mathew was so outstanding and the tournament organizers (USSSA) voted him as the most valuable player.
The form six student at SMACK was enrolled into rugby in form one, the sport he knew nothing about.
“I started playing rugby when I joined SMACK in S1” he vividly recollects. “At that time, I also used to play football which I stopped a year later while in S2. Since then, Rugby has been my game and I enjoy it to the brim” Musasizi who currently features for the second team of Platinum Credit Heathens (The Stallions) remarks.
“The fact is, I didn’t know about Rugby when I was introduced to it by my coach, Alvin Ekamba. But at the age of 14, he saw potential in me.” Musasizi revealed.
Like his international role model, Antoine Dupont, the French national team Rugby captain, Musasizi is well decorated and very comfortable in several positions as a scrum half, fly half, full back and a winger with exceptional kicking skills.
Before winning the 2024 Fresh Dairy Games MVP accolade, Musasizi had already won an MVP award in 2023 Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association championship held in Huye in Rwanda.
Musasizi started his elementary education at Kampala Junior Academy before he joined Silver Spoon Primary School and joined SMACK for O-Level and A-level.
Though never liked the sport before, Musasizi asserts that his parents are very supportive and his has dedicated the MVP award to them, the school and the teammates who helped him to reach the glory.
“My parents and family. They cheer me on and support my schedule for both academics and Rugby plus sports in general.” He cited.
“I know my mum as an extremely clean individual. She drops her guard at the end of my matches. It’s amazing to see her, hug me after a muddy game.” He expressed his gratitude to mum.
” Special dedication to my teammates, fellow SMACKISTS and the School Administration.”
Musasizi stresses on what drives him to perform.
“We all get to the rugby pitch with different skills and abilities. My success is dependent on the team’s effort and contribution. We celebrate and have each other’s backs as one.”
My Coach is rather phenomenal and the sky is the limit for us”
The student who purses a combination of Mathematics, Economics, French, ICT and General Paper believes that one day he will be elevated to Platinum Heathens.
“I want to successfully complete my studies and possibly take a career in finance related stuff. I also yearn to play professional rugby by first working out for promotion to the Platinum Heathens Rugby Football Club main stream team” he aspires.