Mukasa top contender for cricket MVP award

Invitation cards ready, suits and dresses check! Glamour and elegancy awaits the Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) awards gala tonight. About 200 guests will mingle as the cricket fraternity celebrates the achievements of 2015 at Copper Chimney Restaurant, Lugogo.
Roger Mukasa is the bookmakers’ favourite to take home the Male Cricketer of the Year gong, the Castle Lite/Pepsi-sponsored event’s main award. “I am delighted to be nominated again,” Mukasa told Daily Monitor yesterday. The 2014 winner leads a four-man shortlist that includes Hamu Kayondo, Ivan Thawithemwira and Irfan Afridi.

Mukasa was best batsman (797 runs in 13 innings) and fielder (14 catches) as Tornado Bee won their third successive National Men’s Division One 50-Over League title last year. He was also the fourth best batsman with 85 runs as the senior national men’s team, the Cricket Cranes, finished fifth at the ICC World Cricket League Div. II tournament in Namibia 13 months back.
“Winning the 2014 award provoked me to work harder in 2015, I hope I can win it again,” Mukasa added.
Batsman Kayondo, who skippered Wanderers back to the top tier, also tips Mukasa. “I expected the nomination but with Roger on the shortlist, I don’t think I stand a huge chance,” Kayondo said.

Challengers’ Thawithemwira, arguably the most in-form batsman as the league concluded last year, finished second with 575 runs in 13 matches.
Thawi was surprised by the nomination. “Honestly, I didn’t expect to make the shortlist but if I win, that will be a big bonus to me.” For his 213 runs and 30 wickets, KICC’s Afridi completes the list. “With such figures, I can as well win the big prize,” Afridi said. Pioneer’s lynchpin Franklyn Najjumba is up against KICC pair Gertrude Chandiru and Concy Aweko for the Female MVP award.

Najjumba holds a slight advantage as her side won the Women’s League title. “I leave it all to God,” she said.
Zephania Arinaitwe’s 114 runs in five outings as Uganda came fourth at the ICC U-19 Global World Cup Qualifier in Malaysia makes him favourite for the Young Male MVP. There are six other awards to be dished out.

2015 NOMINEES
Male Cricketer Of the Year: R. Mukasa, I. Thawithemwira, H. Kayondo, I. Afridi.
Female Cricketer Of the Year: F. Najjumba, G. Chandiru, C. Aweko
Young Male Cricketer of the Year: F. Akankwasa, I. Mwebaze, J. Gabula, Z. Arinaitwe, K. Waiswa, D.Wabwire, D.Agamire
Young Female Cricketer of the Year: R. Musamali, J. Apio, S. Kemigisha
Coach of the Year: H. Mugalula, E. Issanez, H.

Mugisha
Team Manager of the Year: R. Tinka, S. Walusimbi, S. Thaha, M.S. Kibukamusoke, R. Mugisha, H. Katkar
Groundsman of the Year: J. Wabwire, J. Bukulu, S. Masaba
Umpire of the Year: S. Kintu, J.T Mayeku, E. Wandera, P. Kahuma, P. Makumbi
Volunteer of the Year: I.Thawithemwira, F. Musana, A. Bagaya, H. Katkar

PREVIOUS MALE MVP WINNERS
2012: Benjamin Musoke
2013: Nicholas Kebba
2014: Roger Mukasa.

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