Cheptegei is USPA king

KAMPALA-For the regular attendants, something felt new and better as Uganda Sports Press Association (Uspa) celebrated the best athletes of 2018 at the annual Awards gala at Imperial Royale Hotel on Friday night.

And the few changes made only choreographed a perfect night for Joshua Cheptegei who was crowned as the Sports Personality of the Year.
He was announced as the overall winner by chief guest Minister of Information Technology and Communications Hon. Frank Tumwebaze at 11:03pm following a number of speeches and a catalogue of awards given out on the evening themed for black tie or African wear.

“I don’t want to speak when the chief guest is standing here,” emotions gripped Cheptegei as he began his acceptance speech after beating 2016 winner Uganda Cranes’ skipper Denis Onyango, Rugby Cranes star Phillip Wokorach and She Cranes assistant captain Lillian Ajio.

“I don’t know, I am really sweating,” he said, hand claps intercepting. Three minutes before receiving his diadem from Hon. Tumwebaze in company of State Minister for Sports Charles Bakkabulindi and Uspa president Patriq Kanyomozi at the podium, Cheptegei had expressed his delight.

Upon his announcement, he had quickly given his coach Benjamin Njia a big high five before sprinting to the podium as Mafikizolo’s pop song Khona accompanied the standing ovation.

“I want to thank Uspa journalists for voting me and other partners who are sponsors of this event. I want to thank the Ministry of Education and Sports, Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) which is the number federation in the country because we show the results,” Cheptegei remarked.

This is the moment that had capped perfect week for the 22-year-old. Eight days ago, Cheptegei had conquered a 146-man field to become the first World Cross-country champion from Uganda in Aarhus, Denmark.

And on Friday night, he emulated fellow athletics greats Moses Kipsiro and Stephen Kiprotich. This was not because of Aarhus but for having claimed the 5000m and 10000m double at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Australia as well as the 15km world record last year.

Cheptegei is the first runner to win the overall prize since Kiprotich in 2013. He had earlier been at the podium to receive the Male Athlete of the Year gong, leaving a message for his rivals.

“Every Kenyan here, we are coming for you,” he responded to one of emcee Andrew Kabuura’s questions as many nodded or clapped in affirmative. “In athletics, we say once you cross the finish line, it is the beginning of a new race,” he added.
Whereas Kabuura was a mainstay, his new partner comedian Alex Muhangi kept the stage lit with jokes and charm.

And on the night, it was great to see tennis’ great John Oduke recorded by his son Simon Ayella on video as the 60-year-old took home the Legendary Award. Then, Fufa beat Uganda Woodball Federation and UAF to the Best Run Federation Award.
The new Fans Choice Award went to Wokorach having garnered most votes via www.uspa.press. For their sixth place on the Gold Coast and winning the Africa Netball Cup, She Cranes deservedly took the Team of the Year honour ahead of the Uganda Cranes and Pirates Rugby Cranes.

MOUTH PIECE

“Sorry I couldn’t make it. We are playing Al Ahly tomorrow (yesterday). If it wasn’t for that (Caf Champions League), I was going to make it,” Denis Onyango on his absence.
“Next year, we are going to have the biggest celebration of Ugandan sport,” president Patriq Kanyomozi’s promise ahead of Uspa’s 50-year celebrations in 2020.
“A talent is God given. Parents should not sit on their children’s talent. Instead, expose them, give them the world and they will get there. You can play tennis until you’re 80. I am 60 now. But I look like I am 45,” tennis legend John Oduke.
“Sports is here to unite people together and so is Nile Special. So cheers to this natural alliance,” Nile Breweries corporate affairs director Onapito Ekomoloit.
“The speech I am giving is in the humbleness of the person I am representing (Hon. Janet Museveni). Let’s transform sports from not only being an activity for leisure but a profession. My sport is swimming,” chief guest Hon. Frank Tumwebaze.

2018 NILE SPECIAL USPA AWARDS
Sports Personality of the Year:
Joshua Cheptegei (athletics)
Most Organized Event:
Badminton Classification Competition
for people with disability
Best Run Federation: Fufa
Team of the year: She Cranes
Legendary Award: John Oduke

USPA TOP AWARD
2018: Joshua Cheptegei (Athletics)
2017: David Emong (Para-athletics)
2016: Denis Onyango (Football)
2015: Ronald Otile (Golf)
2014: Peace Proscovia (Netball)
2013: Stephen Kiprotich (Athletics)
2012: Stephen Kiprotich (Athletics)
2011: Susan Muwonge (Motorsport)
2010: Moses Kipsiro (Athletics)
2009: MTN Heathens (Rugby)
2008: Moses Kipsiro (Athletics)
2007: Moses Kipsiro (Athletics)
2006: Boniface Kiprop (Athletics)
2005: Dorcus Inzikuru (Athletics)

ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
Athletics: Joshua Cheptegei, Stella Chesang
Boxing: Juma Miiro
Football: Denis Onyango, Ruth Aturo
Rally: Suzan Muwonge, Edmond Kyeyune
Golf: Ronald Otile, Eva Magala
Cricket: Riazat Ali Shah, Immaculate Nakisuuyi
Pool: Mansoor Bwanika, Ritah Nimusiima
Lawn Tennis: Boris Aguma
Body building: Isaac Mubikirwa
Badminton: Brian Kasirye, Husnah Kobugabe
Woodball: Watson Mugume, Denise Nanjeru
Rugby: Philip Wokorach, Emily Lekuru
Basketball: Male: Jimmy Enabu,
Jamila Nansikombi
Chess: Arthur Ssegwanyi, Penina Nakabo
Volleyball: Smith Okumu, Habiba Namala
Netball: Lilian Ajio
Darts: Eddy Baguma, Harriet Akot
Kickboxing: Patricia Apolot
Ludo: Rose Nsereko
Handball: Francis Ongom, Sarah Nanyazi
Swimming: Ambala Atuhaire, Kirabo Namutebi
Hockey: Colins Batusa, Doreen Mbabazi
Motocross: Stav Orland

CHEPTEGEI AT A GLANCE
Date of birth: September 12, 1996
Major Races: 5000m, 10000m
Manager: Jurrie van der Velden
Kit Sponsor: Nike
Personal Bests: 5000m (12:59.83),
10000m (26:49.94)
MEDAL CABINET
2014 World University X-Country Gold
2014 World Junior 10000m Gold
2015 Africa 10000m Gold
2017 World 10000m Silver
2018 Commonwealth 5000m Gold
2018 Commonwealth 10000m Gold
2019 World Cross-country Gold