UNF Awards 2022 Successfully Held, State Minister Hails Babirye Kityo, Ranks Her one of the Best Presidents among the 51 Federations
Finally the first of it’s kind in the history of Uganda Netball successfully ends yesterday at Imperial Royal Hotel Kampala.
The Uganda Netball Federation held a glamorous Awarding ceremony that celebrated and honored the Netball talents from division two, male to topflight level.
On the night that was blessed by a number of dignitaries from the sports sector, entertainment, Corporate world and political wing, saw talented getting awarded of their sweats endured during the 2021/22 season.
The Tuesday of the 26th of April 2022 will be a recorded day in history of Netball and the lives of Athletes especially though who were awarded.
Shakira Nasaka, the Weyonje Netball Club skipper and a Defender was voted the best player of the season beating her teammate and season’s too scorer Asinah Kabendela and league winner, Margret Baagala, the three had stiff competition especially on the UNF online platforms.
The former UPDF defender and a current student of Kampala University felt happy for winning the award and promised to keep it even for another year.
“I am really happy for this award, the first in my life, surely I didn’t get it from a sliver plate, I worked for it and I am going to work more to protect it and keep it for another year, it’s easy to get to top but maintaining it is a big challenge.” Nasaka told this website before adding.” I thank my teammates, the Weyonje Administration and the fans who put trust in me and I promise to work hard even to see that I make it to the national team.”
In male category, it was Matovu Bashir from SMASH Netball Club, the side that had her first season in 2022 edition and finished sixth on the log of 10 teams, but the position of the team didn’t stop Bashir from putting up brilliant performance as he explains.
“This has been our first season in the league, we have finished sixth but as a player I put up my best show to help my team and I think that’s why I am awarded. I thank the federation for helping the boy child, my Youths are in the ghetto have talent but no platform but the federation is trying to bring us in the game thought, it’s only for Girls.” Matovu Said.
He beat the competition from Prison NC player, Mugisha Moses and Kizito John of Kampala University.
The other individuals who left the venue with the awards are; Sandra Nambirige of KCCA NC, took the promising player Award, Nassanga Shadia Ssegujja (KCCA) grabbed that of the most improved player of the season while the presidential award went to former UNF President, Mrs Rebecca Kavulu.
The State Minister for Sports, Hon. Hamson Obua who was the guest of honor, in his speech, he Publicly revealed that currently Hon. Babirye Kityo Sarah is the best president among the 51 Federations in the country.
“I congratulate the leadership of Uganda Netball Federation, athletes, Coaches and key stakeholders and those supplementing the efforts of Government to make the sport of Netball a success.
“Netball has demonstrated the principle of ‘your attitude determines your altitude’ and I want to salute the UNF President for having assembled a team of active and senior citizens, with very good record in the fields where they have served including the Patron of Netball.
“I congratulate UNF because we have a big championship coming up and that’s the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Our national team has made history as the champions of Africa on various occasions and who are we not to thank God. There are many nations who have failed to achieve success despite enormous Government funding.
“I bring you greetings from Maama (The first lady), she says thank you for being a good student, out of the 51 Federations, you are one of the best president. I want to recommend publicly that in addition to all the Corporate companies coming on board, if there is still any doubt that Netball in Uganda is not alive and kicking, your answer lies in this Ceremony. I give an open invitation and recommendation to other sponsors to join UNF.”
In her interview with the media after the event, the UNF President expressed her happiness for having a successful event and promised that such will be held every year.
” I am really happy, the event went on well, all people we invited, none disappointed us, They all came, I thank all my executive members, the secretariat, Board of Trustee Members, our sponsors they really did a tremendous job and I tell Ugandans that this is just the beginning more are coming and the awards will be held every year. Babirye said.
The Winners
Weyonje Captain Nassaka, like earlier stated, took home the biggest prize – Player of the Season (Women) – an award that was accompanied with some prizes from a couple of sponsors.
The equivalent of Nassaka’s award in the Men’s division went to Bashir Matovu of SMASH.
The Best top scorer went to Asinah Kabendela of Weyonje, Vincent Kiwanuka (NIC) was named the best coach, Rebecca Kavulu (UNF Umpiring Committee) was recognized with a Presidential Award while Jackson Kayira (Head of Media) was awarded with the best UNF Employee award.
The KCCA duo of Sandra Nambirige and Shadiah Nassanga were awarded with Promising and most improved player of the year respectively.
Best seven of the season – First Division; GS – Kabendela Asina (Weyonje), GA – Stella Oyella (NIC), GK – Shifah Nalwanja (KCCA), C – Bagala Maggie (NIC), WD – Viola Asingo (Prisons), GD – Shakira Nassaka (Weyonje), WA – Nolah Lunkuse (KCCA).
The best Male 7 of the season has Ssebuliba Mishali- Int’l, Eppa Richard-KU, Matovu Bashir-SMASH, Kizito John-KU, Wasswa Disan-WOB, Bosco Yiga-Blue Stars Magpies and Mugisha Moses-Prisons
The Winners of the three divisions – NIC (Super League), Greater Busia Netball team (Women Second Division) and Kampala University (Men Division) – plus first and second runners up were crowned on the night as well.
Fair Play award was given to Air Force team.