The development was confirmed by Uganda Sports Press Association - USPA president Moses Alsayed Lubega on Monday, July 3rd, 2023, at the annual monthly assembly.

TWO-IN-ONE CELEBRATION “All the necessary features required to host the event of that nature have been actualized,” President Lubega told members.

“The numbers, the guests here and across borders, the colour, the partnerships for broadcast and the accolades have been sealed. So, what a way to celebrate two years of sports exhibition in one,” he added.

The revamped monthly awards are also an energetic build-up to the Gala. So, we are rich with an appraisal of the sector.

SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH At the same assembly, Paralympic Swimmer Larry Feni was unanimously voted the Nile Special USPA Sports Personality for June. Feni won two gold medals at the Special Olympics in Germany last month; those turned out to be Uganda's only medals at the games.

OTHER COMMENDABLE FEATS Commendations were extended to the Cricket Cranes for winning the inaugural Continental T20 Cup after defeating the hosts Kenya by one run. Jacob Kiplimo for finishing second at the Oslo Diamond League with a time of 12:41.73, marking the fifth-fastest time ever recorded in the event,

The rally crew of Yasin Nasser and Ali Katumba for winning the Kabalega Rally in Hoima were also commended. Together with Joshua Cheptegei for finishing second at the Lausanne Diamond League with a time of 12:41.61

Irene Nakalembe winning the 66th Asantehene Open at the Royal Golf Club Kumasi for her first Professional win, and four days later finishing second in the 23rd Open Cote Ivoire Final Ladies.

YOUNG TALENT AWARD Larry Feni's coach, Ezra Kalari, won the Supportive / Assist Award. The Junior Silverbacks collected 200 points to win the Young Talent Award for qualifying for the FIBA Africa U16 Championship in Tunisia.

They beat Victoria Pearl's 15-year-old Lorna Anyait to the award. The Uganda Bikers Association are the recipient of the Sporting Award.

MEDIA AWARDS Journalists Allan Darren Kyeyune of Nation Media and Nicole Apio from Next Media Services were the inaugural winners of the Plascon-USPA Media awards in the Print & Website and Broadcast categories.

Please see below their winning works.

BROADCAST

Winner: Apio Nicole - Next Media Services
Entry: Mulungi Setting an example at City High School in Boxing Alongside Education. Link to story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85jGYDWtIos

Winner: Allan Dareen Kyeyune - Monitor Publications
Entry: Cricket Cranes Pull off heist. Link to story: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/cricket/cricket-cranes-pull-off-heist-to-win-inaugural-t20- cup--4279166