It was a good day for Park FC as their players dominated the top honours at the betPawa and Futsal Awards ceremony held on Saturday, 8th June at the Old Kampala Sports Arena.

Three out of the seven awards went to players of Park FC, the team that also took home the season’s trophy. The club’s Brian Drileba was feted as the Best Goalkeeper (Golden Glove Award), 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 with the most goals - 50 - in the futsal season. The Youngest Player of the season was Edgar FC’s Brian Olwa while Kisenyi FC’s manager 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 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 match day 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 as Locker Room Bonus through 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 very captivated with their skills. 

Accepting his award for top scorer, Lubowa thanked betPawa for energising the league with the support to the teams as well as 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.