Watambala Bags Maiden Fortebet Real Stars Award, Credits Okello, Vipers Teammates
By Kayiira Jackson
Vipers SC midfielder Abdul Karim Watambala has described his maiden Fortebet Real Stars Award as a major motivation in his career, crediting his teammates and former colleague Allan Okello for playing a key role in his success.
Speaking after receiving the award on Tuesday afternoon at Molecule Restaurant in Kololo, Watambala expressed gratitude for the recognition, noting that it comes at a crucial time as Vipers SC push to defend their league title.
“I feel very great to win this award today and I am privileged to be nominated. It’s an honor and I give credit to my teammates for helping me achieve this. I think it’s the beginning of everything because we’re trying so hard to defend the trophy,” Watambala said.
“Winning this award has motivated me to continue doing what I have been doing and also to correct what has been going wrong.”
The in-form midfielder also paid special tribute to Allan Okello, who recently completed a move to Tanzanian giants Young Africans FC, saying the former Vipers talisman still deserves recognition for his contribution to the team.
“Our best player left the club, so the team needs to step up so that we can defend the trophy. I give this credit to Allan Okello because he was part of us. He deserves a medal because he was already part of the squad, and when we win the trophy, we will deliver his medal to Tanzania,” Watambala added.
Watambala clinched the January accolade after beating competition from Entebbe UPPC FC striker Ambrose Kigozi and SC Villa’s Ssebuufu Frank. His impressive run in January saw him register six goal contributions, scoring five goals and providing one assist, a performance that helped Vipers SC open a six-point gap at the top of the table by the end of the first round.
Other winners at the awards ceremony included elite athlete Jacob Kiplimo, who defended his World Cross Country Championship title for the third consecutive time in Terehas, Florida, USA, and Willy Kitata, who claimed the golf accolade.
Meanwhile, Real Stars Agency CEO Isaac Mukasa revealed that plans are underway to expand the awards further.
Mukasa stated that the agency is targeting an increase in the number of sports disciplines to be recognized this year as part of efforts to promote excellence across different sporting fields.