2021 SPORT CATEGORY WINNERS
Zahara Abdul
1st Place, Sport
Taking Turns
Derrick Mwanje records workout progress as his colleagues take their turn with the equipment during preparations for the CrossFit global competition in March 2021. Derrick, a 27-year old self-trained crossfit athlete whose ultimate dream is to represent his country on the global stage, offers free training to a few other interested athletes at a space at a local 5-a-side arena pitch in Buwate, a suburb of Kampala. He trains together with his friends for the global competition each year with the aid of a subscription to online CrossFit coaches, while they all share the equipment. In the absence of adequate state-funded sports resources and infrastructure, Derrick's journey so far represents the sort of self-starter mentality many Ugandans (and others across the continent) have adopted to overcome obstacles. Over the last couple of months I have followed Derrick as he qualified for the World Crossfit quarterfinals. His efforts paid off when he ranked 1st in Uganda and 218th in Africa. The CrossFit Games are an annual global competition that began in 2007, where athletes compete in repetitions of activities including standard workouts like gymnastics and weightlifting.
Hamala Edgar Barlow
2nd Place, Sport
This Side Up!
Tadeo Kasirisimbi of the Rhinos (in yellow) lands dangerously on his head in a collision with Heathens player Chris Lubanga during a Nile Stout Rugby League match.
Edgar Kanyike
3rd Place, Sport
Shoot Your Shot
Tor is a high school student originally from South Sudan and now living in Mulungu. He is extremely passionate and serious about basketball and hopes to have a career in the sport. He made this hoop himself, gathering the materials (down to the nails) from around his compound and a nearby construction site. He is pictured in his compound during one of his practice sessions, which he usually does alone for about 40 minutes every evening.