This weekend, the Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) will convene at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala to honour the brightest sports stars from 2021 and 2022.
The gala was initially meant to happen on 16th September but was pushed back by a week because the association wanted to ensure they covered all the necessary details for the day.
“We expect over 500 guests and plan to ensure the gathering gets the attention and grandeur it deserves,” said President Moses AlSayed Lubega.
Favourites for the awards
In contention for 2022 Sports Personality of the Year is long-distance runner Jacob Kiplimo.
In 2022, Kiplimo beat Olympic champions Selemon Barega and Kenenisa Bekele to win his first Great North Run title at England’s world’s biggest half marathon, clocking 59:33.
He is challenged by 2022 Commonwealth Games Men’s Marathon champion Victor Kiplagat, Lady Crane and Black Pearl Charlotte Mudoola and long-hitting golfer Ronald Rugumayo.
The Uganda Rugby 7s, who claimed the African title in April 2022 at Kyadondo, are nominated for team of the year, alongside rugby side Balck Pearls, UCU Lady Canons, She Corporate, National Ludo Team and the Men’s T20 team.
For the 2021 Personality of the Year, the nominees list is headlined by Joshua Cheptegei, who took the gold medal in the men’s 5,000m race in the Olympics in August 2021 and is closely challenged by Peruth Chemutai who claimed Gold in the 3,000m steeplechase at the same games.
Jacob Kiplimo, who set a new world record to win the Lisbon Half Marathon in 2021, is a challenger for personality of the year gong as well, as is cricketer Dinesh Nakrani, who closed 2021 as one of the world’s best wicket-takers.
Express FC, who were crowned UPL Champions in 2021, are up for Team of the Year, alongside the Silverbacks, who ranked 6th at the Afrobasket, the Uganda Hippos football team that made it to the U20 final in 2021 and the She Cranes, who claimed Silver at the Africa Netball Championship in 2021.
USPA NILE SPECIAL SPORTS PERSONALITIES OF THE YEAR 2022
Sports Personality of the Year: Jacob Kiplimo, Victor Kiplangat, Ronald Rugumayo, Charlotte Mudoola
Most organized event: Rugby Africa 7s, ICC Challenge League B (second round), 2022 East Africa University Games – Ndejje University, 2022 Uganda Golf Open, 2022 Uganda International Para-Badminton Championship
Lifetime achievement award: To be announced at the Gala
Team of the year: Uganda Rugby 7s Team, Black Pearls, UCU Lady Canons, She Corporate, National Ludo Team, Men’s T20 team
USPA NILE SPECIAL SPORTS PERSONALITIES OF THE YEAR 2021
Sports Personality of The Year: Joshua Cheptegei, Peruth Chemutai, Jacob Kiplimo, Dinesh Nakrani
Team of the Year: Express FC, Silverbacks, U20 men’s soccer team, She Cranes
Sports Event of The Year: Rugby Africa CUP, Uganda Golf Open
Courtesy Photos
