KAMPALA – The Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) has voted the best Sports personalities for the year 2019.
This was at a function held at a function held at Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala on Monday.
Athletes Joshua Cheptegei and Halima Nakaayi plus footballer Emmanuel Okwi have been shortlisted for the Sports personality of 2019.
Chepetgei had an immense 2019, winning the 10,000m race in Doha, world cross country race in Aarhus and also excelling in a 5000m race at the Diamond League.
Nakaayi won the 800m race at the IAAF World Championship when she sprinted to gold in 1:58.04 in Doha.
For Okwi, he helped Uganda reach the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) second round, scoring two goals along the way.
Cheptegei and Nakaayi have also been voted as best Male and Female Athlete of the year while Okwi and Juliet Nalukenge were voted the best Male and Female Footballer of 2019.
David Semujju who won silver at the 2019 All Africa games has been named Boxing Personality of the year.
The best Run Federation will be decided by the USPA Executive.
Table Tennis, Cycling and Pool have all been left out because of in house issues in their respective associations and clarity for lack of events.
The awards’ dinner is expected to take place in March 2020.
USPA sports personalities of 2019
Athletics
Men: Joshua Cheptegei
Women: Halima Nakaayi
Badminton
Men: Daniel Muhigo
Women: Aisha Nakiyemba
Body Building
Isaac Mubikirwa
Boxing
David Ssemujju
Chess
Male: Harold Wanyama
Female: Maria Nakanyike
Cricketers
Men: Shazad Kamal
Female: Janet Mbabazi
Football
Men: Emmanuel Arnold Okwi
Female: Juliet Nalukenge
Darts
Men: Patrick Ochieng
Women: Sarah Makanga
Ludo
Tom Kasozi
Kick Boxing
Patricia Apolot
Woodball
Men: Brian Gwaaka
Women: Denise Nanjeru
Weight-lifting
Zubair Kubo
Handball
Men: Ibrahim Kongo
Women: Lillian Achola
Rugby
Men: Pius Ogena
Women: Samiya Iyikoru
Volleyball
Men: Daudi Okello
Women: Grace Akiror
Netball
Stellah Oyella
Motocross
Gift Ssebuguzi (11 Years Old)
Motor-rally crew
Yasin Nasser & Ali Katumba
Tennis
Troy Zziwa
Swimming
Men: Tendo Mukalazi
Women: Kirabo Namutebi
Squash
Ian Rukunya
Hockey
Men: Emmanual Baguma
Female: Norah Alum
Golfers
Men: Joseph Cwinyaii
Female: Martha Babirye
Basketball
Men: James Okello
Female: Hope Akello
Best Organized Sports Events in 2019 (Nominees)
-FUFA Drum [Played across the country with final stage in Northern Uganda (Lira & Gulu)]
-2019 CECAFA U-20 Championship hosted in Gulu & Njeru
-2019 Uganda Amateur Golf Championship at Lake Victoria Serena Resort
-2nd World Beach World Cup at Speenah Beach, Entebbe
-National Boxing Qualifiers at Lugogo Indoor Arena, Kampala
Team of Year, 2019 (Nominees)
-Uganda U-17 Girls Team
-Uganda Cricket Cranes
-Proline Football Club
-Uganda Cross Country Athletics Team (Men)
Overall Sports Personality of 2019 (Nominees)
-Joshua Cheptegei
-Halima Nakaayi
-Emmanuel Arnold Okwi