The Fortebet Real Stars Sports Monthly Awards celebrated the finest athletes of February 2025, with Juma Miyaji, Jane Asinde, and Abdul Kalanzi emerging as the standout winners in cricket, basketball, and football, respectively. The prestigious accolades, which recognize exceptional sporting excellence, also saw veteran referee Fred Mufta honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions to officiating in Uganda and beyond.
In cricket, young pace bowler Juma Miyaji played an instrumental role in Uganda’s unbeaten streak at the ICC Challenge League B Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Hong Kong. Miyaji’s brilliance with the ball saw him claim 12 wickets from 123 balls, making him the tournament’s leading wicket-taker. His stellar performance against Tanzania, where he secured six wickets for just 17 runs in 8.1 overs, earned him the Player of the Match award. He further showcased his consistency by bagging four wickets against Bahrain and two against Hong Kong.
In basketball, the unstoppable Jane Asinde guided the Uganda Gazelles to a historic 74-63 victory over Egypt in the FIBA Zone Afro-Basket Qualifiers final. Asinde’s dominance on the court earned her the MVP title, as she averaged an impressive 18.8 points per game, with a tournament-high 28 points against South Sudan. Her versatility was further evident in her 10 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game, proving instrumental in securing Uganda’s place on the continental stage.
Football sensation Abdul Kalanzi stole the spotlight in February, netting four goals in four matches across the Uganda Premier League and Uganda Cup. The Lugazi FC striker found the back of the net twice in league fixtures and twice in the Uganda Cup, including a crucial goal in their 2-0 victory over Calvary, which propelled Lugazi into the last 16 of the tournament. Despite Lugazi sitting 11th in the league standings, Kalanzi’s individual brilliance continues to keep the team’s ambitions alive.
Capping off the ceremony was Fred Mufta, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his 15-year tenure as an international referee. Mufta acknowledged the impact of players, coaches, and fellow referees on his journey, notably mentioning Edgar Watson, Mike Mutebi, and Moses Basena as key figures who challenged and inspired him. His heartfelt speech reflected the resilience, discipline, and passion that defined his illustrious career.
