30 January 2012
UGANDA : Malinga, Afidra Match Up
ERIC Malinga and Isaac Afidra have matched up in many battles over the years.
On Saturday night, the two men shared the highest individual honours in Ugandan basketball at the FUBA Awards Gala at Imperial Royale Hotel.
Malinga was named the 2011 men's regular season most valuable (MVP) while Afidra claimed MVP men's top division Finals.
Kyambogo Warriors Malinga edged out surprise nominee Steven Omony of the Miracle Eagles while Afidra pipped Power team-mate Ben Komakech, who could have easily claimed the award after top-scoring in the finals, which his team won 4-3.
KCC Leopards' Martha Soigi claimed the women's regular season MVP award ahead of UCU Canons Maureen Amoding, who also lost the Finals accolade to team-mate Purity Odhiambo.
There was similar recognition for players in the men's division two and division three categories as well as others for teams and individuals. KIU's Nimrod Kaboha was named coach of the year even if none of his the two sides did anything spectacular.
The Titans didn't make the men's top division playoffs while the Rangers made it to the women's postseason but Kaboha, no doubt one of the best coaches around, could not prevent his team from being swept by UCU. Power players and fans felt their coach Bernice Nkunda, who defended the men's championship for the first time in the club's history, should have taken this prize.
The coaches' award was not the only major controversy, though. Many were perplexed that there was no tribute John Simbwa, the late Falcons founder who arguably did as much for local basketball.
The event lacked a climax. For instance, the MVP honours come first rather than last.
On Saturday night, the two men shared the highest individual honours in Ugandan basketball at the FUBA Awards Gala at Imperial Royale Hotel.
Malinga was named the 2011 men's regular season most valuable (MVP) while Afidra claimed MVP men's top division Finals.
Kyambogo Warriors Malinga edged out surprise nominee Steven Omony of the Miracle Eagles while Afidra pipped Power team-mate Ben Komakech, who could have easily claimed the award after top-scoring in the finals, which his team won 4-3.
KCC Leopards' Martha Soigi claimed the women's regular season MVP award ahead of UCU Canons Maureen Amoding, who also lost the Finals accolade to team-mate Purity Odhiambo.
There was similar recognition for players in the men's division two and division three categories as well as others for teams and individuals. KIU's Nimrod Kaboha was named coach of the year even if none of his the two sides did anything spectacular.
The Titans didn't make the men's top division playoffs while the Rangers made it to the women's postseason but Kaboha, no doubt one of the best coaches around, could not prevent his team from being swept by UCU. Power players and fans felt their coach Bernice Nkunda, who defended the men's championship for the first time in the club's history, should have taken this prize.
The coaches' award was not the only major controversy, though. Many were perplexed that there was no tribute John Simbwa, the late Falcons founder who arguably did as much for local basketball.
The event lacked a climax. For instance, the MVP honours come first rather than last.
# posted by afrbk : 15:55
