He joined as a boy and remained devoted to Lawn Tennis, combining a 32 year playing career with nearly 25 years as a coach.
On Thursday, January 8 at Molecule Restaurant in Kololo, John Oduke, a legend both as a player and a coach, was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Real Stars Sports agency opening a the year 2026.
The 67 year-old spoke of his journey that led to the big recognition, “This day is not normal as usual; it is remarkable for my career, which I started as a 10 year-old boy.”
“I played my first game in 1970, won my first tournament in 1975, rose to the international scene by playing in the Davis Cup, and managed to play semi-professionally in Germany.” He added
“After my retirement, I joined coaching, and now I am sitting on the board representing coaches because I am a coach too.”
About the award, Oduke joyously stated, “Unexpectedly, I received a call three years back from Isaac that they had something for me, and now it is a Real Stars Lifetime Achievement Award indeed. My long-time commitment has been recognized in this special way.”
On his long-time career, Oduke noted, “It wasn’t just a career but a big sacrifice, staying single until a late age, waking up at 5 am every day of that career, and no fancy life.”
At the same event, two standout players in December from the games of Netball and Chess were recognized, Shadia Nassanga, known as Mima, and young genius Shana Oprakash.
For her top performance as a shooter for both the Uganda Netball National team, which she guided to the Celtic Cup and a second place finish at the Africa Netball Championship, and the KCCA Netball Club, which she captained to a Uganda Netball League triumph, she earned a second Real Stars sports award.
As for Oprakash, he won a gold medal at the Africa Chess Championship, which is recognized as the first gold medal for Uganda.
