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The Serena 63 Golf Series is set for the final outing of the season slated for this Saturday, November 30 at the Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa, Kigo.

Now in its second year, the series will recognize and award the top overall performers of the season at the 19th-hole prize-giving dinner.

Boniface Ssimwa, the Serena Golf Pro, said the finale is expected to register a bigger turn-up considering it’s the season-ender.

“We’re excited that the 2024 season is coming to an end this Saturday. It’s been an incredible journey, and we expect to wrap up the season with a great turnout,” Ssimwa said.

The Serena 63 Series season finale will be played under the Stableford, full handicap format, and will feature 63 subsidiary players (both 63 Series participants and non-63 Series participants), with the top three from each category eligible for prizes at the 19th hole.

Participants in this year’s Serena 63 series stand a chance to win a grand prize worth 40 Uganda shillings which will include an exclusive annual golf membership at Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa. 

Top performers are also assured of outstanding prizes from event sponsors I&M Bank and Serena Hotels.

Annette Nakiyaga, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at I&M Bank Uganda, said they are looking forward to a thrilling season finale, characterized by fierce competition, as golfers compete for top honours.

“We are glad to have successfully reached the end of the second season of the Serena 63 series. We are proud to witness the series grow in many aspects, and as a partner, this motivates us to continue supporting the game of golf in Uganda.

“We’re proud to be part of an event that not only celebrates sporting excellence, but also builds community, strengthens bonds, and creates lasting friendships,” Nakiyaga said.

I&M Bank will provide special perks for top-performing golfers this Saturday. Top on the list of the bank’s offer is a fully sponsored trip for the five overall winners of the series to take part in the esteemed I&M Invitational Golf Tournament in Kenya early next year.

Defending champion David Plenderleith tops the leaderboard with 1406 points. Plenderleith, who has played 40 rounds so far, has averaged 35.15 points per round.

Duncan Kaggwa, who has played the most rounds (43), is currently in second place with 1383 points. John Byabagambi, who rounds out the podium, has 1321 points, while Juanati Karamji, in fourth place, has 1290 points. Jadu Patel is in fifth place, with 1206 points.

Uganda has been drawn in the same group with nemesis Tanzania in the forthcoming AFCON U17 CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers.

The draws were held on Thursday at FUFA Complex in Mengo, Kampala with hosts Uganda placed in Group A.

Besides Uganda and Tanzania, Group A also has Ethiopia and Burundi.

The other Group (B) has defending Champions Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Kenya.

The tournament is scheduled to kick off on 14th December and will run up to 28th December 2024 at Nakivubo Stadium and St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.

The finalists will earn the two slots to represent the zone at the AFCON U17 final tournament.

Uganda Cricket Association will recognise the best performers of the year at the season awards ceremony to be hosted tomorrow (Saturday, 30th November) at Copper Chimney in Lugogo.

This year saw Cricket Cranes feature at the T20 World Cup in West Indies while the Victoria Pearls competed at the Global Qualifiers in Abu Dhabi.

Categories

The Cricketer of the Year category has Cricket Cranes skipper Riazat Ali Shah, Victoria Pearls star Immaculate Nakisuyi, and former Cricket Cranes Captain Brian Masaba.

All three nominees had a strong season. Masaba was the leading wicket-taker for the Cricket Cranes at the World Cup while Riazat Ali Shah won the Player of The Match award in the Cricket Cranes’ only win at the World Cup. Nakisuyi was phenomenal for the Victoria Pearls en route to a fourth Kwibuka title and also stood out with bat at the Global Qualifiers in Abu Dhabi.

The best male Local Player of the Year award has a shoot-out between two Wanderers players Shariff Suleiman and Mohammad Shaff with Hamu Kayondo from Ceylon Lions completing the three-man nominations.

Teddy Oyella, Sarah Akiteng, and Stephanie Nampiina will battle it out for the best female local player of the year award. Oyella the women’s MVP for their T20 season a strong favourite.

Wanderers who won the T20 league after a 13-year dry spell battle it out with 1st-time 50-over league winners Kutchi Tigers and T20 league finalists Rounders for the Club of the Year award.

Henry Ssenyondo, Alpesh Ramjani, and Robinson Obuya will chase glory for the best Cricket Cranes Player of the Year while Rita Musamali, Immaculate Nakisuyi and Proscovia Alako will face off for the Victoria Pearls Player of the Year.

Full List Of Nominees

End of Season Awards CategoriesNominees
Cricketer of the YearRiazat Ali Shah, Brian Masaba, Immaculate Nakisuyi 
International Cricketer of the Year (Male)Henry Ssenyondo, Alpesh Ramjani, Robinson Obuya
International Cricketer of the Year (Female)Rita Musamali, Immaculate Nakisuyi, Proscovia Alako 
Domestic Cricketer of the Year (Male)Suleiman Shariff (Wanderers), Mohammad Shaaf (Wanderers), Hamu Kayondo (Ceylon Lions)
Domestic Cricketer of the Year (Female)Teddy Oyella (Tornado Bee), Sarah Akiteng (Olila High School) Stephanie Nampiina (Jinja SSS)
Men’s Club of the YearWanderers Cricket Club, Kutchi Tigers, Rounders Cricket Club
Female Club of the YearSoroti City, Olila Cricket Club ,Wanderers Cricket Club 
Male Umpire of the YearPatrick Makumbi, Wandera Eric, Abii Norbert
Female Umpire of the YearSharon Athoula, Kutaka, Consy Aweko
Male Rising Star of The YearOlipa Gerald (Busoga College Mwiri), Rubangakene Ronald (St Joseph’s College Layibi) , Mukisa Eric (Busoga College Mwiri) 
Female Rising Star of the YearMalisa Ariokot (Olila High School), Irene Mutoni (St John’s Mukono), Mbwali Naume (Masaka SSS)
Coach of the YearHabib Mugalula (Jinja SSS), Jackson Ogwang (PUSH Academy), Sandra Achawo (Light SSS)
Male Volunteer of The YearArnold Tembo (Keere Cricket Academy), Kintu Simon (Mukono Community), Oyugi Simon Peter (Africa) 
Female Volunteer of the YearMadam Mary (Nyakasura), Luiza Nabulwala (Ndejje School), Brenda Nabisalu
Groundsman of the YearOnenchan Denis (Entebbe Ova), John Wabwire (Lugogo Oval), Juma Waiswa (Lugogo Oval)
Male Journalist of The YearKakeeto Gozanga (The Site), Elvis Senono (NTV), Charles Mutebi (Vision Group)
Female Journalist of The YearGrace Kemigisa (UBC/Radio One), Faith Kia (Vision Group), Nina Kakwanzi (NBS Sports)
Digital Journalist Of The YearSsajabi Ivan (Uganda Cricket Fans),Timothy Adulu (Sports Blaze), Jeremiah Mugalu (The Site)
Cricket Fan of The YearSolomon Kukuta, Alex Mubiru, Ackram Jjuko

The Road to BAL 2025 continues this week with the East Division Elite 16 tournament in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

Ugandan champions City Oilers are eying a third appearance in the league.

The Oilers have competed in the Basketball Africa League regular season for the past two seasons, though they have not advanced to the playoffs on both occasions.

Andrew Tendo’s charges who will face stiff competition from Nairobi City Thunder and Urunani have to finish in the top two at the six-day event to return to Africa’s biggest stage of club basketball.

Oilers made reinforcements to the squad adding Nigerian center Isreal Otobo while Falando Jones and Germaine Roebuck Jr returned to the side. The trio along with Parrish Petty, who inspired Oilers to their tenth championship, will lead the charge in Nairobi.

Fayed Bbale and league MVP Titus Lual Odeke lead the home-based cast on the team.

City Oilers Full Roster

  1. Waleed Ali Omar-Muzahim
  2. Fayed Baale
  3. Rogers Dauna
  4. Falando Cortez Jones
  5. Benjamin Kawumi
  6. Maker Moses Roor Mer
  7. Ivan Muhwezi
  8. Titus Odeke
  9. Israel Oyoro Otobo
  10. Parrish Petty
  11. Germaine Vashon Roebuck Jr
  12. Allawi Ssenkubuge

East Division Fixtures

Thursday, November 28

Friday, November 29

Sunday, December 1

Monday, December 2 

Tuesday, December 3

The Road To BAL 2025 continues this week with Division East of the Elite 16 taking centre stage in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

The eight-team qualifier tournament will take place at Kasarani Indoor Arena from Thursday, November 28 to Tuesday, December 3.

Cape Verdean side Kriol Star received a wild card from FIBA Africa to compete in the East Division Elite 16.

Kriol Star joined host Nairobi City Thunder (Kenya), Urunani Basket Club (Burundi), City Oilers (Uganda), Bravehearts (Malawi), Matero Magic (Zambia), Made by Ball Blue (South Africa), and Fox Basketball (South Sudan).

The eight participating teams were drawn into two groups of four each and will compete in a round-robin system. The teams that finish in the top two places of each group advance to the semifinals, where the winners qualify for the BAL season 5.

As per the draw announced on Sunday, City Oilers who have played at the last two editions of BAL were drawn into Group B alongside Urunani, the winners of the zonal qualifying tournament in Dar. Matero Magic and Fox Basketball complete the group.

The Draw Results

Group A

Group B

Fixtures

Thursday, November 28

Friday, November 29

Sunday, December 1

Monday, December 2 

Tuesday, December 3

Uganda Women’s National Handball Team (Nile Queens) will be making an appearance at the 26th Africa Senior’s Nations Cup in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The team of 14 players and 7 officials left Entebbe International Airport on Monday, November 25, 2024.

The team last featured at the Nations Cup in 1979. Uganda had competed at the Africa Nations Cup in 1974, 1976 and 1979.

The group has been training at the Old Kampala Sports Arena for over a month under the coaches Jimmy Remmie Orotin (Head coach), Azizi Yakub (Assistant coach), Christopher Onen Owor (Goalkeepers coach)

“We have trained well and are ready for the challenge ahead of us. The players are mentally and physically set for the tournament. We thank the Uganda Handball Federation, NCS and others for the support,” Yakoub said.

The team made the continental grade after a promising performance at the 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana where Uganda finished 5th overall.

The bulk of the players who competed in Ghana are still part of the team led by skipper Shakirah Bako. Other players include Diana Tiperu, Jesca Nakamaanya, Lillian Achola, Diana Nakamya, Barbra Nantume, Hilda Abangit, and Priscilla Aber.

Uganda is pooled in Group B alongside the hosts Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Angola, Tunisia and two West African nations Guinea and Cameroon.

Pool A has Congo, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Cape Verde and Kenya.

The 2024 women’s seniors handball Africa Nations Cup is a qualifier for the 2025 Handball World Cup.

Traveling delegation:

Players:

Hilda Abangit (Victoria University), Priscilla Aber (Prisons), Beatrice Achayo (Police), Lillian Achola (Police), Brenda Adokorach (Prisons), Stella Akongo (Police), Shakirah Bako (Police), Nasiimu Mutesi (Victoria University), Jesca Nakamaanya (Police), Diana Nakamya (Police), Joyce Namutosi (Victoria University), Barbra Nantume (UPDF), Dorren Ondoa (Police), Diana Tiperu (UPDF)

Officials:

Willy Mayanja (Head of delegation), Jimmy Remmie Orotin (Head coach), Aziz Yakub (Assistant coach), Christopher Onen Owor (Goalkeepers’ coach), Aidah Birungi (Team physio), Barnabas Amanya (Team doctor), Valentine Omiella (Media)

Groups:

Jas Mangat secured the 2024 National Rally Championship

Mangat and Enoch Olinga, in a Hyundai i20, sealed the title with a dominating display in the season’s ultimate event, the Hoima Rally. 

The Pili Pili Rally Team convincingly led the event from the first to the final stage to clinch his fourth career NRC title. 

It was Mangat’s fourth of the seven events and has registered victories in all four.

The crew has sealed the title with 320 points from four events.

”The championship has been amazing. The safety and the roads have been impressive. In this event, I have been car number one and I did not meet any challenges,” said Mangat.

Mangat joins Charlie Lubega among the crews with the most National Rally titles, both of whom now have four titles to their name.

Ronald Sebuguzi finished second in Hoima settling for the first runners-up in the championship. However, the second position for the team secured Anthony Mugambwa a co-driver championship after collecting maximum points in the category.

In third position was Moustapha Mukasa who ended his impressive season with another podium finish. And with it; a second runners-up in the championship.

Joshua Muwanguzi finished fourth in Hoima with Ali Omar Bobo completing the top five.

Jas Mangat and Enoch Olinga drove closer to clinching the 2024 National Rally Championship.

The Pili Pili Rally Team dominated Leg One of the final round of this season’s championship in Hoima on Saturday. 

They entered the event three points ahead of title rival Ronald Sebuguzi with each crew needing to finish ahead of the other to be crowned a champion. 

In the opening leg, it was Mangat, in the Hyundai i20, who imposed himself first, securing the fastest time in the opening stage of the event over his rival by 38 seconds. He continued to assert himself in stage two, where he beat Sebuguzi by over a minute. 

The rain disruption ahead of the super special stage did not hinder his charge.

Despite sharing super special stage wins, it was Mangat who ended the day with a commanding lead of 1 minute and 10 seconds ahead of Sebuguzi going into the final day. 

It is now Sebuguzi with the hard task of unseating Mangat in the five remaining stages; totalling a competitive distance of 126.97km.

Moustapha Mukasa finished fourth after day one keeping close to the two crews. His only chance at the title is if Mangat and Sebuguzi dropped out.

Over 110 golfers braved the morning rain to take the lakeside Entebbe Golf Course on Saturday for the November MTN Monthly Tee.

Robert Sabiiti topped the field emerging as the overall winner of the penultimate round of the MTN-sponsored event.

Sabiiti returned to the clubhouse with a nett score of 68.

In the women’s category, Hellen Peace scored 72 nett to top the category with the club lady captain Jovia Tugume taking the runner-up spot with 73 nett.

With her score in the ultimate round, Tugume ascends to the top of the women’s order of merit with the ultimate round set for December 14 when the overall winners will be crowned.

In the men’s Group A, Jude Ochieng beat Andrew Baguma by a stroke while Richard Oloka required countback to win Group B ahead of Peter Magona.

MTN MONTHLY TEE | NOVEMBER TOP PERFORMERS

WINNER OVERALL
Sabiiti Robert 67 nett

WINNER GROUP A MEN
Ochieng Jude 71 nett

RUNNER UP
Andrew Baguma 73 nett

WINNER GROUP B MEN
Oloka Richard 68 nett c/b

RUNNER UP
Peter Magona 68 nett

WINNER GROUP C MEN
Herbert Kamuntu 68 nett

RUNNER UP
Mathias Kalula 71 nett

WINNER LADIES
Peace Hellen 72 nett

RUNNER UP
Tugume Jovia 73 nett

WINNER SENIORS 55+
Tony Kisadha 71 nett

WINNER GUESTS
Paul Ndyaguma 68 nett

2024 Kinyara Golf Open (Gross – Amateurs):

Joseph Kasozi claimed the 26th edition of the Kinyara Golf Open at the par-71 Kinyara Golf Course in Masindi.

Playing off handicap -3, Kasozi scored a total of 216 gross over 54 holes played from three rounds to net his first-ever triumph in this open.

“I am excited… This is my first victory at the Kinyara Golf Open on a golf course that made me who I am today. It is humbling,” said Kasozi.

Kasozi was 11 shots clear of second-placed Ivan Sekulima and 16 shots adrift from the third-placed golfer Abdullah Kakooza.

In the 54 holes, Kakooza recorded a total of 13 birdies, 19 pars, 9 bogies and 3 double bogies.

He opened the tournament with 2-over-73 in round one.

“I broke my driver on hole 6 during the first round but soldiered on with the iron and remained in the lead. The rains disturbed us during round two but it was a blessing for me because the wet conditions favour my game” he spoke.

On round two, he played his best golf with 1-under-70 and completed the third round with another 2-over-73.

“This victory is special because it gives me some important points for the world amateur golf system and I look forward to the same ripe form” Kasozi remarked.

Lake Victoria Golf Resort and Spa member Ivan Sekulima came second with 76, 75, 76 (227) and Abdullah Kakooza of Mary Louise Simkins Memorial Golf course in Namulonge was third on the leaderboard with 75, 76, 81 (232).

In total, there were 26 amateurs in the competition.

Professionals:

Grace Kasango was the outstanding professional in the paid ranks category with 143 gross in 36 holes.

This was Kasango’s second victory at the Kinyara Golf Open in the professional docket after the 2022 victory.

Tom Jjingo (145), Ronald Bukenya (146), Saidi Mawa (149), Joseph Mawejje (149), Adolf Muhumuza (150), Emma Ogwang (151), Silver Opio (151), Samuel Kato (152) and Peter Ssendaula (152) all made the treasured cut for the Shs 10,000,000 kitty.

Seventeen professional golfers participated in total with over 100 in the subsidiary cluster.