Joseph Ssebatindira with his mother at NCS when being flagged off.
Nine-year-old Joseph Ssebatindira has been honored with the USPA Sports Personality of the Month for October, following his historic achievement as the first Ugandan to claim a world title in Table Tennis at the World.
Table Tennis Youth Contender Championship in Cairo, Egypt. Entering the competition unranked, Ssebatindira dominated by winning all his matches in straight sets, ascending to the number one ranking post-competition With 235 points.
Ssebatindira edged out the Lady Rugby Cranes 7s, who amassed 220 points after securing a bronze medal at the 2023 Olympic Qualifiers. Their performance granted them another shot at Olympic qualification via the Repechage tournament slated for next year.
Ssebatindira was also unanimously chosen as the recipient of the Young Talent Award for September and October, a nod to his world title feats. In other accolades, the Rugby Cranes 7s team were named the Nile Special USPA Sports Personality for September.
Their bronze finish at the 2023 Africa Men’s Cup in Zimbabwe clinched them a place in the Repechage for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The Rugby Cranes team received 185 votes, outpacing the National Ludo team – The Doves, who garnered 165 points after defending their title at the 2023 Africa Ludo Championship in Durban, South Africa, where they triumphed in a nail-biting final against South Africa on penalties. September’s commendations were; badminton players Husinah Kobugabe and Gladys Mbabazi.
This formidable pair won gold in women’s doubles at the Benin International and maintained their trajectory toward the 2024 Olympic Games.
Kobugabe also secured a bronze in the Women’s Singles at the same event. October’s commendations were bestowed upon Godfrey Nsubuga and Peace Kabasweka for their victories at the
2023 Uganda Amateur Golf Open and Uganda Ladies Golf Open, respectively. Teams JKL Dolphins and City Oilers were lauded for winning the 2023 National Basketball League titles for women and men, correspondingly.
BUL FC was recognized for their exceptional start in the 2023/2024 Ugandan Premier League in October, boasting a perfect record with four wins, netting eight goals, and conceding a mere two. The Supportive/Assist Award was presented to Uganda Lady Rugby Cranes 7s physio Nelson Mayeku, who secured 340 votes, surpassing Bulemezi goalkeeping coach Ali Kigundu with 325 votes.
Finally, the Uganda Rugby Union was acknowledged with the Sporting Award for its instrumental role in fostering the development of rugby in Uganda.
By George Bukenya