Mangat: 2012 was for Kiprotich

All Sport. Jas Mangat finished second behind Zambian ace Mohammed Essa in the Africa Rally Championship.

Rally driver Jas Mangat believes athlete Stephen Kiprotich’s achievement last year outweighs any other sportsman’s.

Mangat, who clinched the National Rally Championship (NRC) title after winning three of the six rallies last season, says the marathoner is more deserving than anyone else.

“Kiprotich is an excellent athlete and international figure that has done Uganda proud,” said Mangat. “Had it been another year, my chances would have been bigger.”

The Subaru (N12) driver and his navigator, Gihan De Silva, were unanimously voted by sports journalists as the best in their discipline (Rally crew of the year).

The feat even after they skipped one event (the MOSAC Rally in March) while on continental duty in Zimbabwe.

Mangat is pitted against boxer Joseph Lubega and Kiprotich for the Nile Special-Uspa Sports Personality of the Year, who will be known on Saturday as Uspa hold their Awards Gala at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.

“Our first serious shot at the NRC was a great result,” added Mangat.

“2012 was arguably the most competitive year in the past decade with so many great drivers and cars as well and we are pleased to have won last year.”

awasike@ug.nationmedia.com