The 2015 Uganda Wood Ball Federation calendar came to an epic end with an awards gala to recognize the outstanding and excellent players of the year. The 4th Annual awards Gala ceremony attracted wood ball top brass and players who converged at the Grand Imperial Hotel on Friday to recognize and appreciate among others the excellent players, sponsors and the Media fraternity. Ndejje University 4th year Civil Engineering Student Joel Adupa retained the Men’s most valuable player of the year award, having won it in 2014. Adupa attributed his success to passion for the sport.
I feel humbled that I’ve retained the men’s most valuable player of the year award. It’s a combination of passion, practice, total commitment and self belief that I’ve been able to have a wonderful woodball season. I have a future in the sport and I believe I can reach greater heights. a jolly Adupa told entebbenews.
Joel Adupa beat Onesmus Atamba also from Ndejje University and Kibuule Franco from Botladz Woodball club
Uganda Woodball shining star and icon Lillian Zawedde was named the overall ladies winner for the fourth year running. Zawedde beat Joan Mukoova and Namuddu Sophie to retain the ladies crown. Zawedde thanked her sponsors for supporting her throughout the season.
I’m happy that I’ve won the ladies title for the fourth year running. It hasn’t been easy but my sponsors came on board and funded my travels to Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and china where I returned a couple of medals. Zawedde told entebbenews.
Zawedde who is ranked 9th internationally targets the third slot in the coming year.
Other Winners:
Beach Wood Ball Category;
Mukoova Joan clinched the singles –ladies award. She beat Zawedde Lillian and Namuddu Sophie who finished as first and second runners up. Ronald Kawumba claimed the prize in the men’s category while Adupa Joel and Muwanguzi Israel Kayongo finished as first and second runners up respectively.
Joan Mukoova and Victoria Nankabirwa pair clinched the doubles –ladies award while Joel Adupa and Bbosa Bruno pair won the doubles – men award. Nagaba Charity and Ronald Kawumba won the mixed doubles award.
Corporate Wood ball Circuit.
Ronald Ssemata from St. Joseph’s Technical Institute Kisubi clinched the men’s top award while Ndejje University’s Rose Matovu clinched the ladies’ top award.
In the primary school’s category Kayongo Jeff Gracious (Entebbe Junior School) claimed the Most Valuable Player of the year prize in the men’s category while Linda Namayanja from Motherwell Junior School Mutungo claimed the most valuable player of the year award in the ladies category.
In the secondary school’s category Shamim Bakola (Airorce S.S Entebbe) clinched the most valuable player of the year award in the ladies category while Eric Ibanda (Kyambogo College School) clinched the most valuable player of the year award in the men’s category.
Sponsors, Media Recognized.
Ndejje University clinched the platinum sponsor of the year award. Other sponsors who were recognized included CPA Uganda who won the Gold sponsor of the year award. Both Coral Coating and St. Marks College Namagooma won the silver sponsor of the year award. Bank Of Uganda walked away with a bronze medal.
Injured UBC’s John Barnes Ssentamu won the Wood Ball TV Reporter of the year award while CBS’ David Lumansi walked away with the Radio award. New Vision’s David Namunyala walked away with print reporter of the year award while Kawowo sports David Isabirye was recognized for his outstanding work in online news reporting.
UWBF President Paul Mark Kayongo Speaks Out.
Uganda Wood Ball federation president Paul Mark Kayongo who was recently unanimously voted as International Wood ball federation Vice President for Africa hailed Ndejje University for continuously supporting the sport of wood ball.
When the sport of wood ball was introduced in Uganda seven years ago, it was difficult to convince the administration but we managed to bring them on board and they have played a pivotal role in promoting the sport in Uganda. he said.
Kayongo also promised to spread the sport to other African countries and he appealed to the Taiwanese community in Africa for support to promote the sport in Africa.
In my new role as the IWBF Vice President for Africa I’ll endeavor to see that all African countries interested in game of wood ball establish federations to govern the sport. he stated.
The chief guest of the day was Assistant Consular of Taiwan to Uganda Jeff Lin.
