Award only start for Ochwo ahead of tough year

Rugby Cranes captain expecting a tough 2013 season after shining brightest in 2012.

Mathias Ochwo ought to have celebrated his second rugby Most Valuable Player (MVP) award like an accomplishment. Instead, he thinks it sets the tone for the year ahead.

“I think 2013 is a very important season for us. It starts this weekend with the Bamburi Super Series,” the Rugby Cranes captain said after being named 2012 MVP on Tuesday night at Sheraton Hotel.

MTN Heathens’ back row Ochwo had previously won the same award in 2005 and the announcement that he had beaten four others to the award received unanimous applause. Former Uganda Rugby Union (URU) chairman Andrew Owiny handed him the plaque and Shs1m in cash from Nile Special, the major sponsors of the game here.

Moments later, Timothy Dumba, Marvin Odongo (both G4S Pirates), Justin Kimono (DMark Kobs) and Jonathan Onen( Heathens), the other nominees walked across to hung Ochwo, their captain.

For Ochwo, the accolade was a satisfying reward for the 2012 season, which ended with league triumph for Heathens, reclaiming the Elgon Cup for the first time in six years with Rugby Cranes, clinching the 7s and 10s titles and reaching the Uganda Cup final. “The Bamburi Series spills over into the Elgon Cup and Africa Cup so every player must keep his eyes on the ball,” Ochwo, dressed in the official national team suit, told Daily Monitor.

The turnaround in the national team fortunes came after a poor record in the previous three years. “The rebuilding has gone well and the team has now come of age,” Ochwo explained. Brenda Kayiyi, also voted best among women, won a second successive MVP award, months after being appointed Lady Cranes 7s captain. Heathens’ front row Asuman Mugerwa edged pre-event favourite Odongo to the best Upcoming Player gong while the women’s version went to Tino Matlida.

In the glitter of the Rwenzori Ball Room, outgoing URU chairman William Blick presented the Ugandan players who made the Elgon Warriors last year when the English Counties toured East Africa.

It was a highlight of a night well managed by emcee Allan Musoke, a former Rugby Cranes star.

ikigongo@ug.nationmedia.com