The Uganda Sports Press Association (Uspa) has announced tennis coach John Oduke as the recipient of the Legendary Award. The Legendary award honors individuals for both their lifetime achievements and their contributions towards local sports.
Oduke will receive his award during this year’s Uspa Gala due Friday April 5 at the Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala. The annual gala and awards ceremony recognises and rewards outstanding sports personalities of 2018.
The Legendary Award is one of the awards that are decided by the executive and according to a statement by Uspa, ‘Oduke is fully deserving of this award after diligently serving the game of tennis both as a player and a coach.’
Born in 1958, Oduke started playing tennis aged 10 in 1968. His career both as a coach and a player spans over 50 years.
Oduke won his first trophy in 1975, 13 years since his first career game, before going on to become the record winner of the Uganda Tennis Open as well as being four time Davis team Captain.
He was also Uganda’s top tennis seed for a record 20 years from 1982 to 2002 when he retired. He has previously been awarded by Uspa as the tennis player of the year on three occasions.
The biggest award on the night will be the Uspa Sports Personality of the Year, who is voted for by only Uspa members. However for the first time, the public will also be allowed to choose their Sports Personality of the year in a new category termed Fans Choice Category.
Netballer Lillian Ajio, Rugby star Phillip Wokorach, Uganda Cranes captain Denis Onyango and Commonwealth Games double gold medalist Joshua Cheptegei are in the running for Fans Choice Category award.
Over 2,200 votes have already been cast with the winner to be announced on the gala night.
Uspa president Patrick Kanyomozi said he is impressed with the level of interest the public has shown in the award thus far.
“As an association we are delighted to know what the general public thinks about the performances of those three gentlemen and lady,” Kanyomozi said.
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