Nation Media misses out in Media Gala
Hardluck. Kfm’s striker Deus Bugembe is illegally sent flying by Baba fm players at the inaugural media sports gala at Namboole stadium on Sunday. Photo by John Batanudde
KAMPALA. Nation Media presented the biggest number of teams, four, but missed out on any title as Vision Group clinched the overall title of the Media Sports Gala on Sunday at Namboole Stadium.
Vision, who presented two teams, were a class act in athletics and football with only Impact FM snatching the netball crown from their claws as Prime Radio took third place. In football, New Vision beat local newspaper Bukedde 1-0 as Jinja’s Baba TV edged Galaxy FM on penalties to finish third.
Unfortunate Spark
In the unlikely of events, Nation Media’s best performers, Spark TV were eliminated by a boardroom decision, after their manager, Miles Rwamiti, failed to remind his players carry their work IDs. Rwamiti regretted the decision after pummeling Baba TV 5-0 in the quarterfinals to emerge as hot favourites with their brand of football. Yet they were ejected without playing.
“That was strange. I apologise because I never reminded players to carry work IDs as was required,” Rwamiti said.
Curse of knockouts
It was a bad day for Nation Media as all the rest of the teams fell out in the round of 16.
First was NTV, who were beaten by finalists Baba TV 2-1 before Spark TV eliminated sister radio station KFM 2-0. Daily Monitor followed suit losing by the smallest of margins, 1-0 to Dream TV.
Athletics saw New Vision boss the 100m, 200m and relays to top with 35 points with Dream TV coming second with 30. Radio 4 were third with 21.
French hand
The event was graced by the French Ambassador to Uganda H.E Jules-Armand Aniambossou who promised to support upcoming events.
Tournament organiser Patrick Kanyomozi was overwhelmed by the turn up and urged the media to be supportive.
“We have helped several sports grow prominently and we can help develop our own,” Kanyomozi, who is also president of Uganda Sports Press Association said.
The one-day event was supported by Betway, Nation Media Group, Supreme Premium Flour, Mandela National Stadium, Legends Events and Hospitality, Fufa, Riham and Guinness, City Ambulance.
