By Michael Ainomugisha
The Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA) tipped off Women’s Day celebrations with a thrilling All-Star game on Friday, featuring the rising stars of the league and a battle between the best players.
The day kicked off with the Rising Stars game, where Team Mia emerged victorious with a score of 48 points against Team Shifrah’s 43 points.
Excitement continued with a friendly match between team managers and team parliament. The managers displayed their court savvy, edging out the parliamentarians by 30 points to 28.
In the main event, Team Ageno, led by Sarah Ageno, took on Team Perus, captained by Perus Nyamwenge. At halftime, Team Ageno held a commanding lead of 25 points to 16.
The festive atmosphere intensified during halftime as renowned musician Winnie Nwagi took center stage, belting out her popular hits. UCU Lady Cardinals’ Tracy Namugosa joined Nwagi for a vibrant performance, adding extra color to the event.
“Seeing all the women and girls that played brought joy to my heart because you would see everyone enjoying themselves and playing without pressure while showcasing their talents,” said Namugosa.
She also called upon fellow women to support their kids’ talents and gifts because they might be upcoming stars in the game.
The second half saw Team Ageno maintain their dominance, pouring in 40 points to finish the game with a convincing 65-35 victory over Team Perus. Ajar Kul of the Magic Stormers emerged as the game’s top scorer, while Namugosa’s all-around performance earned her the Most Valuable Player (MVP) title with 14 points.
“It was good to see women come together for a common goal; it is something that we look forward to having more games like these to keep the girls in the game together,” exclaimed FUBA Women Commissioner Rachael Ainamasiko.
FUBA’s Women’s Day celebration proved to be a successful blend of fierce competition, community spirit, and artistic expression. The event not only showcased the talent of Uganda’s female basketball players but also highlighted the importance of supporting young athletes.
