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USPAward, a mark of undisputed excellence: Uganda Sports Press Association celebrates the unmatched
USPA’s founding father, Mzee Freedie Sekitto, speaking to the current USPA president Moses Alsayed Lubega (who is holding the symbolic USPA flag produced in 1974) and other members of the USPA Executive on stage during the USPA Gala. (Photo by USPA)
KAMPALA, October 4, 2023 - The crème de la crème of Uganda’s sports industry and well-wishers gathered at Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala on September 23, to reward excellence for the most illustrious athletes for the years (2021/2022).
The USPA Gala, which was last held in 2020, represents the brightest lights of Ugandan sports.
On the grandest stage, long distance runners Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo were crowned USPA Sports Personality of the year 2021 and 2022 respectively to a rousing applause.
Cheptegei, for his milestone at the Tokyo Olympics, where he claimed gold and silver in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters while Kiplimo secured gold in both the 5000 and 10,000 meters at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom. They were fittingly “The unmatched” drawing from the event's theme.
In the duo’s acceptance speech delivered on Video, they immortalized USPA for the high-profile distinction etched to their names forever.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE USPAward
The applause of this award continues to exceed all possible imaginations, but none more avid to draw the historic inspiration of this award than USPA’s founding father – Mzee Freedie Sekitto. As he majestically led to the podium, past presidents and the current - Moses Alsayed Lubega anchored him to the podium.
Mzee Sekitto’s warmth of personae and eloquence was spurred on by the gathering who rose to every word –as he revisited the creation story of the 54-year-old body and heritage of the award –much to the feeling of “we are a special kind” relayed in the eyes of the recipients.
Former USPA president and founder recieving a lifetime achievers award (Photo by USPA)
THE MOMENT
As the night saturated in colour, perhaps the most significant coat of paint was the blue and white –USPA symbolic colours dressing the flag. With the USPA crest in full view accompanied by the iconic theme: “Unity and brotherhood”, the founding father passed the flag to the current USPA president –Moses Alsayed Lubega as a tool of merit and principled stewardship.
The founder not lost in the moment, challenged Lubega to preserve USPA’s democratic principle: “when your time comes to exit office, pass the tools to the next leader” –a principle that left an indelible mark admits Lubega who swore to adhere.
TOOLS FOR THE PRESENT TIME
In his speech delivered to an eager audience, Lubega drew from the proud traditions of USPA; to teleport the new role of the sports media as - Social Impact – insisting the modern athlete’s power exceeds the competition arenas – a mantra worth preserving by the sports media.
He argued that sports for; Tourism, diplomacy, hospitality, gender, and activism is a key attribute in modern sport, a duty deeply entrusted to the Uganda Sports Press Association.
He appealed to the political elite to support the intellectual growth and welfare schemes, while ensuring no trespassing the watchdog duty a key media asset.
He added the sports press under USPA has the appetite to challenge herself in all professional fields whether in: science, Information Technology, engineering, fashion, entertainment, etc. To maintain those high standards, he maintains the sports press constantly repurposed in education and soft skills development.
Guest of Honour and member of Parliament Hon. Basalirwa giving out the top USPA award. The awards were received by the Uganda athletics federation president, Dominic Otuchet (Photo USPA)
THE POLITICAL CLIMB
The podium strategically overlooking the main table - the occupants –high ranking in strategic positions in government and private sector, keenly followed the speech with baited interest. The Guest of honour Hon. Asuman Basalirwa the Member of Parliament who represented the Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament Anita Annet Among. In his delivery, the Speaker hallmarked the sports sub sector interests in three features: Deliberate appropriation; Sports Tourism; and empowerment support to the sports press which echoed the plea of the USPA President.
The lights downed with the realization the award beyond just sport. 2023 awaits its share of the claim.
The USPA Gala, which was last held in 2020, represents the brightest lights of Ugandan sports.
On the grandest stage, long distance runners Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo were crowned USPA Sports Personality of the year 2021 and 2022 respectively to a rousing applause.
Cheptegei, for his milestone at the Tokyo Olympics, where he claimed gold and silver in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters while Kiplimo secured gold in both the 5000 and 10,000 meters at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom. They were fittingly “The unmatched” drawing from the event's theme.
In the duo’s acceptance speech delivered on Video, they immortalized USPA for the high-profile distinction etched to their names forever.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE USPAward
The applause of this award continues to exceed all possible imaginations, but none more avid to draw the historic inspiration of this award than USPA’s founding father – Mzee Freedie Sekitto. As he majestically led to the podium, past presidents and the current - Moses Alsayed Lubega anchored him to the podium.
Mzee Sekitto’s warmth of personae and eloquence was spurred on by the gathering who rose to every word –as he revisited the creation story of the 54-year-old body and heritage of the award –much to the feeling of “we are a special kind” relayed in the eyes of the recipients.
THE MOMENT
As the night saturated in colour, perhaps the most significant coat of paint was the blue and white –USPA symbolic colours dressing the flag. With the USPA crest in full view accompanied by the iconic theme: “Unity and brotherhood”, the founding father passed the flag to the current USPA president –Moses Alsayed Lubega as a tool of merit and principled stewardship.
The founder not lost in the moment, challenged Lubega to preserve USPA’s democratic principle: “when your time comes to exit office, pass the tools to the next leader” –a principle that left an indelible mark admits Lubega who swore to adhere.
TOOLS FOR THE PRESENT TIME
In his speech delivered to an eager audience, Lubega drew from the proud traditions of USPA; to teleport the new role of the sports media as - Social Impact – insisting the modern athlete’s power exceeds the competition arenas – a mantra worth preserving by the sports media.
He argued that sports for; Tourism, diplomacy, hospitality, gender, and activism is a key attribute in modern sport, a duty deeply entrusted to the Uganda Sports Press Association.
He appealed to the political elite to support the intellectual growth and welfare schemes, while ensuring no trespassing the watchdog duty a key media asset.
He added the sports press under USPA has the appetite to challenge herself in all professional fields whether in: science, Information Technology, engineering, fashion, entertainment, etc. To maintain those high standards, he maintains the sports press constantly repurposed in education and soft skills development.
THE POLITICAL CLIMB
The podium strategically overlooking the main table - the occupants –high ranking in strategic positions in government and private sector, keenly followed the speech with baited interest. The Guest of honour Hon. Asuman Basalirwa the Member of Parliament who represented the Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament Anita Annet Among. In his delivery, the Speaker hallmarked the sports sub sector interests in three features: Deliberate appropriation; Sports Tourism; and empowerment support to the sports press which echoed the plea of the USPA President.
The lights downed with the realization the award beyond just sport. 2023 awaits its share of the claim.
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