Boxer Nyanzi targets Africa title as Mbalire scoops Lifetime Achievement Award

Former Ssingo County Chief (Mukwenda) Godfrey Mbalire was the biggest achiever during the Fortebet Real Stars Awards for June.

Mbalire who facilitated the construction of Mityana Ssaza grounds joined the growing list of awardees that have been honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Real Stars Agency.

He was singled out for having been part of the group that initiated the resumption of the Masaza football tournament on top of his continued support for the same with Ssingo County and now with Buddu.

Boxer Joshua Nyanzi poses with his award at Lazio Restaurant. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

He was also the chairman of the defunct Mityana Utoda FC before he was elected as the treasurer of Ssingo County before he was appointed by the Kabaka to head the county and before he was elected the chairman of the Masaza Organising Committee.

“When I was chairman I initiated the construction of the Ssaza ground in 2012 and I’m happy to see that every county now wants to do the same,” Mbalire said.

“But it was also my prayer to use the tournament to unite the counties that had started bickering. The tournament has now grown in leaps and bounds so, I thank the organisers for these awards and I will continue working hard,” he stated.

Real Stars Awards CEO Isaac Mukasa said they decided to give this lifetime award to  Mbalire because he served the Masaza tournament well. 

Former Ssingo County Chief (Mukwenda) Godfrey Mbalire (left) receives his award from Real Star Sports Agency CEO Isaac Mukasa at Lazio Resaturant. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

"He ensured Ssingo had their stadium He was also chairman of the Masaza Organising Committee for some time. He is currently supporting Buddu and it is the reason we have singled him out for recognition. He is the one who has ensured that the Masaza continues to blossom,” Mukasa stated.

The other awardees included boxer Joshua Nyanzi ‘Spyder’ who scooped the National Welterweight by unanimous decision after defeating Mubarak Seguya at Club Obligato in Kampala. Nyanzi is now eyeing the African title before he tries his luck at the continental and world titles.

“It feels good to win such an award thanks to the sponsors and all that continue to support us. I thank God, my team and my gym COPAB Boxing Club where everything started, and my sponsors Bakaima,” Nyanzi whose record stands at 10 – 2 said.

Former Cricket Cranes captain Brian Masaba for his outstanding display during the team’s display during their first-ever T-20 Cricket World Cup. Masaba was the standout as the team negotiated their single win in the tournament against Papua New Guinea. Throughout the tournament, Masaba collected five wickets for the Cricket Cranes.

Left to Right: Boxer Joshua Nyanzi, Former Ssingo County Chief (Mukwenda) Godfrey Mbalire cricketer Brian Masaba and journalist Issa Nsereko pose with their awards and that of basketballer Modesta Anyango at Lazio Restaurant, July 2, 2024. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

“I’m grateful to have received this award but this is also for the team because I couldn’t have gotten this without them. I’m grateful to the Real Stars. It's motivating and it is all about continuing to put in the hard work so that we continue lifting our country and making it proud,” Masaba stated.

From basketball, the award went to Modesta Anyango who starred for the junior Gazelles and emerged as the MVP during the FIBA U18 Zone V Qualifiers at Lugogo, which saw the team qualify for the African championships to be held in South Africa.

Cranes debutant Elio Capradossi claimed the football award having played an important role as Uganda beat Botswana during one of the two FIFA World Cup qualifiers at Namboole. Cranes won the match 1-0.