Nemostars’ George Aporu hopes to use his biggest achievement in Ugandan volleyball to date to achieve on the professional scene.
Aporu and Irene Adeke (KAVC) were voted the Most Valuable Players (MVP) in the men and women categories respectively for the first time in their careers.
“I have had a number of calls to pursue a professional path around the region but I think it is not yet time. I hope to keep achieving locally and venture there when the time is ripe,” the towering Aporu disclosed in an interview without naming teams that are interested in him.
His ability to jump really high and hit extremely hard and block well give the 28 year old national team assistant and Nemostars VC captain an edge over many of his peers in Uganda and beyond.
Aporu, who was also voted the best attacker in 2012, retained the award and dethroned his national team captain Dickens Otim to the MVP accolade which he missed last year.
At the crowning ceremony on Friday, it was not a night of celebration for Aporu alone but also teammates Smith Okumu (best setter) and Nemostars coach Anthony Ndaula.
“I am excited by this award but I must note that I had a very good season to deserve it. The issue for me is to maintain it if not improve so that I can win the awards for years to come,” Aporu said in an exclusive interview after the ceremony.
But Aporu, who captured the accolade for the first time after two brilliant seasons, noted that his target is to protect the award for the coming years. He had been listed in five of the eight Uganda Volleyball Federation players’ awards.
Prior to the awards night Aporu said that, “this year the writing is on the wall. I only see serious competition between myself and my teammates for MVP. I will be so surprised if Nemostars does not dominate the night anyway.”
Winners for UVF Awards
Best Blocker
Men: Dickens Otim
Women: Irene Adeke
Best Server
Men: Richard Tamale
Women: Saidat Nnungi
Best Receiver
Men: John Opejo
Women: Flavia Nandawula
Best Attacker
Men: George Aporu
Women: Astreede Agaaba
Best Setter
Men: Smith Okumu
Women: J.Kaidu
Best Libero
Men: E.Elanyu
Women: F.Nandawula
MVP
Men: George Aporu
Women: Irene Adeke
Coach of the Year
Anthony Ndawula
Journalist of the Year
Swalley Kenyi
By Swalley Kenyi, The New Vision