The saying goes; All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. The saying exactly fits into how the inaugural Media Sports Gala 2019 played out with the event attracting competition from at-least 20 teams from different media houses in an expression that scribes may not be only good at writing/telling stories, but also highly talented in field and track disciplines.
Hosted at Namboole Stadium, the Media Sports 2019 Gala’s aim is unifying media employees, owners, governing bodies as well as public relations. The winners walked away with trophies as well as bragging rights.
The participants competed in different disciplines including football, Netball and athletics with a striking display of talent and skill. Impact Media –home of Impact FM and Dream TV emerged Champions in Netball and Athletics, while New Vision are football Champions.
The tourney is not for licensed professional players, but one could at some point admit that the flow of the game, the pace and precision of participants are of professional sportsmen. But of course, there were few participants you would recommend for a body workout plan.
Media houses that made an appearance at the event include; NTV, Baba TV, Dream TV, Impact FM, Daily Monitor, New Vision, KFM, Kingdom Media, Sunrise paper, Kawoowo Sports, Smart 24, Radio Simba, Guggude TV, Radio Sapiensia, Capital FM, Galaxy FM, Pearl FM, Spark TV, Top media, NBS radio.
Group after group teams faced off in football matches with big names like NTV and Daily Monitor eliminated early giving those you may call underdogs a chance to prove their worth and shine. In football, New Vision shared the stage in finals with Bukedde, and New Vision emerged champions while Baba TV beat Galaxy FM in shoot-outs for the third place. Spark TV was disqualified at quarterfinals for using mercenaries.
New Vision also emerged as the overall winner in athletics that covered disciplines including sprint race and relay.
However, Impact Media made a mark when Dream TV emerged the runner up in athletics startling big names in the industry, and her sister station Impact FM comfortably winning netball competitions beating Bukedde, Pearl FM, and Top Media.
As expected, it was also fun as spectators and cheer groups guzzled all kinds of liquor accompanied with chicken wings, while others took time to network and mingle with comrades in the profession.
The event was sponsored by Nation media group, Betway, Uganda Breweries, Namboole Stadium, Legends events and Hospitality, City Ambulance, Mandela Group and Fufa. Big up to the champions; New Vision and Impact Media, the organizers, the sponsors, and all ‘journos.’ To others, hope for the best next time.
