We helped Uganda’s futsal stars celebrate their 2023/24 successes
Park FC players received a hat-trick of top honours at the betPawa and Futsal Awards ceremony held at the Old Kampala Sports Arena on Saturday 8th June 2024.
Three of the 7 awards went to players of Park FC, who also took home the season’s trophy. Brian Drileba was feted as the Best Goalkeeper (Golden Glove Award) and Gibran Ndukuhire emerged as the Best Defender, while the Most Valuable Player award went to Michael Abura.
Lubaga Grameen’s Michael Lubowa won twice, walking away with the award for Best Striker and Playmaker. Lubowa also set a league record for most goals, scoring 50 over the course of the season. The Youngest Player was Edgar FC’s Brian Olwa, while Kisenyi FC’s Sulaiman Sekanyo was named Coach of the Season.
“This season of futsal has been extremely exciting and with the work that all teams put in to make the game more entertaining and professional, it was only befitting that we recognise their efforts,” said betPawa Uganda Country Marketing Manager Ivy Igunduura.
During the 2023/24 season, under the sponsorship by betPawa, futsal’s main playing venue the Old Kampala Sports Arena was renovated, giving it a fresh look. Also, the 12 teams that took part in the league were given a new brand identity through new kits and football gear such as balls and a digital clock.
“We have had a season where, through digitisation, disputes were a thing of the past because of the digital clock which was used professionally to keep the track of time per match,” said Futsal Association of Uganda President, Hamzah Jjunju.
“We also thank betPawa for the Locker Room Bonus initiative, a first of its kind, where matchday squad players of the winning team get a bonus for triumphing in every fixture. This was the first such bonus in Uganda where players get direct and instant benefits when they win after every match.”
During the season, a total of UGX 167.5 Million was paid out in Locker Room Bonuses to the individual mobile money accounts of the participating players.
On her part, Igunduura further congratulated all the futsal players, noting that they have exhibited good sportsmanship and kept the Old Kampala Sports Arena crowds captivated with their skills.
Accepting his award for Top Scorer, Lubowa thanked betPawa for energising the league with support to the teams and players.
“Today is a special day for me and all the players representing the teams in our great futsal league. We are honoured to have been part of this partnership,” he said.