Keremundu wins 2010 MVP award

Kampala

Winners – MVP
Men
Jude Keremundu (Heathens)
Women
Christine Kizito (Thunderbirds)
Best Upcoming Player
Men
Philip Pariyo (Toyota Buffaloes)
Women
Regina Athieno (Black Panthers)
Best journalist: Johnson Were
Best referee: Denis Anguyo
Best coach
Brian Tabaruka (Heathens)
Top try scorer
Robert Seguya (Heathens)
Golden Boot
Benon Kiiza (Heathens)
Fair Play Team: Buffaloes
Respective champions
Reserves: KK Stallions
Shield: Summerkamp
Women: Panthers
University league
UCU Shepherds
Hima 7s: Impis
Uganda Cup: Kobs
League: Heathens
Chairman’s awards
Philip Wokorach (KK Stallions)
Namilyango, King’s College-
Buddo and Smack
Nile Breweries
Previous MVP winners
2009 - Scott Oluoch (Heathens)
2008 -John Musoke (Rhino)
2007 - R. Seguya (Heathens)
2006 - E. Tumusiime (Kobs)
2005 - M. Ochwo (Heathens)

Jude Keremundu won the 2010 Uganda Rugby Union (URU) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award during the annual dinner held at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel on Friday night. The MTN Heathens winger edged pre-event favourite and teammate Benon Kiiza plus G4S Pirates’ Marlon Ondiege to the prestigious gong given for outstanding performances last year.

Arguably the best player this season so far, Keremundu aided Heathens’ charge to a second successive league title last year much to the delight of his coach Brian Tabaruka. “Jude has undergone a 360 degrees turnaround in terms of confidence to beat opponents, energy and speed,” Tabaruka, himself named coach of the year, said.

Keremundu was pleased too after becoming the fourth Heathens player to win the award in six years. “I am so happy. It’s a wonderful light for me. I dedicate this to the boys at Heathens,” Keremundu told the packed Rwenzori Ball Room. Keremundu and Kiiza were both part of the Rugby Cranes 7s team at last year’s Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India. Kiiza was the more lively of the duo in New Delhi. Kizza, also winner of the journalists’ vote, collected the Golden Boot given to the best kicker.

Two teams
Kiiza, a fullback, filled in at the problematic fly-half position for Rugby Cranes 15s and performed admirably well. The women’s award went to Christine Kizito of Thunderbirds, who applauded her opponents Black Panthers, for keeping the game alive since the league has only two teams.

Regina Athieno (Panthers) and Philip Pariyo (Toyota Buffaloes) took the upcoming player plaques. Martin Kasasira, the utl Kobs chairman, acting as master of ceremony, moved minutes of silence for the victims of the bomb blasts at Kyadondo RFC last year and the late Maj. Gen Francis Nyangweso (RIP).

Nyangweso was head of the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) for over three decades. He died in February after a long battle with diabetes and chronic renal anemia. Three of his sons, Leonard Were, Tony Nyangweso and Mike Wandera, are involved in the game of rugby.