The towering pictogram of Ugandan volleyball rests in the Lord.

Wednesday. 16th. June. 2021 will remain a dark day in the life and history for the Uganda Volleyball fraternity. On this day, the Lord called to rest Uganda’s volleyball icon NEKO NERI MUDUSE-OJALA.

The breaking news was made public by his club Nemostars Volleyball Club on their social media pages on the Wednesday morning.

The 75-year old former player, captain and coach of the national team; administrator was a founder member and patron (till the time of his demise) of Uganda Volleyball Association in 1973; now Uganda Volleyball Federation where he also served as Secretary General until 1989.

Muduse Ojala had an instrumental hand in the foundation of many volleyball clubs in Uganda including Nemostars Volleyball Club, a club he founded in 2005 after parting ways with another club Kampala Amateur Volleyball Club which he had also founded in 1970.

Old Coach as he was known around volleyball circles was also recognized by Uganda Sports Press Association when he was awarded with the USPA Lifetime Achievers’ Award (2021) for his contribution to Uganda Sport and Volleyball in particular.

He was also decorated by UVF with the Lifetime Achievers’ Award in 2015.

Muduse Ojara succumbed to the deadly Corona Virus at Mulago hospital where he had been admitted since June. 14th. 2021. He tested positive for Covid-19 on June. 05th. 2021 after suffering fever and a persistent dry cough that he was treating from home.

“Old Coach was strong. The day he was picked he walked into the ambulance but he kept asking to be home. He didn’t want to be in hospital,” Nemostars VC Captain George Aporu, who was closely monitoring his condition both at home and during his last days in hospital.

“He seemed to have stabilized but his appetite was bad and it is not easy to tell since access to Mulago hospital was limited,” Aporu added.

The “father of volleyball” was pronounced dead at 4.30am after a two-week fight with the deadly virus.

Muduse Ojala advocated for sports and education as partners and he never enjoyed company of young men and women who were at war with school. Actually, he will remember for pushing players to complete school even if it meant putting volleyball aside for the time being.

TRIBUTE

Muduse Ojara founded and nurtured many clubs starting with Kampala Amateur Volleyball Club (KAVC) in 1970 and I think it would right to state that one probably doesn’t know volleyball if they didn’t know now the fallen volleyball “trademark” Neko Neri Muduse-Ojala.

UVF President Sadik Nasiwu

“Volleyball has lost a patron, lover of the game who dedicated his life to it. We shall miss him.

Nasiwu, a former volleyball player with Kibuli Secondary School, Makerere University and KAVC and is one of the many players that coach Muduse Ojara scouted and nurtured up to top level; playing for the national team.

“It is Old Coach who scouted me. He came to my school then; Kibuli S.S and asked me to join him at KAVC, which I did immediately after my university studies.

“Uganda Volleyball Federation has lost a founder of volleyball both at club and national level, the person who loved athletes, the game of volleyball and he lived it, may his souls rest in eternal peace,” Nasiwu added.

Nemostars VC Head Coach Andrew Okapis.

 “Pray for Nemo. Old Coach kept us together.

While receiving his award at the USPA Gala coach revealed that his dream was to build a state-of-the art facility for volleyball to ensure there was no jostling for the only available indoor stadium in Lugogo but he hasn’t lived to see this dream come true,” added Okapis.

Hadija Namanda; former UVF President (2017-2020) and former player.

“What a loss to the sporting fraternity. A great icon has fallen,” wrote Hadija Namanda on her face book page upon hearing the unfortunate news.

The backbone of volleyball in Uganda, my first coach; golden hands that molded player; sacrificed resources to expose young budding talents both at club and national level. What a legacy; fare thee well gallant sports soldier; may your dear soul rest in peace

Nasser Balinda a former KAVC and national team player and coach.

“Old coach spread his wings in every corner of Ugandan volleyball, and beyond. I remember him for one thing that’s really shaped my playing and coaching career.

“The goal was always to be the best volleyball player and everything else is additional. You need to mentally lock yourself in the zone to be better everyday regardless of the circumstances. He knew that the comfort zone was a big deterrent on athletes.

If you did not train today, better not be hanging around the court interacting, and enjoying your social atmosphere. Better go or stay home. If you do not train, do not socialize at the training court. “Go Away wherever else”. Man, that door wasn’t good to go through. If you were not sure, just pretend that you are staying not going through the door. Mayhis soul rest in peace,” Balinda added.

Rest in Eternal Peace Mr. Volleyball.

MUDUSE-OJALA’S PROFILE:

Names: NEKO NERI MUDUSE-OJALA a.k.a Old Coach

Date of Birth: 18th. February. 1946; Busia, Uganda.

Died: Wednesday. 16th. June. 2021

Education:

Nabumali High School, Mbale

Makerere University College (University of East Africa)

Volleyball clubs:

Makerere University College – Captain (1968/1969); Chairman University Volleyball Club (1969)

North-cote Hall, Makerere University – Captain (1968/1969)

Kampala Amateur Volleyball Club (KAVC) – Founder (1970); Captain (1970-1974); Head Coach (1970-2000); Patron (1989-2000)

National Team – Founder (1974); Captain (1974-1981); Head Coach (1980-1989)

Kampala City Council Volleyball Club (Girls) – Founder (1983); Head Coach (1983-1996)

Dairy Corporation Volleyball Club – Founder (1984); Coach (1984-1985)

Uganda Commercial Bank Volleyball Club – Founder (1985) Coach 1985

UNICEF Volleyball Club – Founder (1984)

Nsambya Volleyball Club – Founder (1985)

Uganda Police Volleyball Club – Founder (1971)

Uganda Prisons Volleyball Club – Founder (1972)

Uganda Army Volleyball Club – Founder (1974); Coach (1975-1978)

Makerere University Volleyball Team – Coach (1978-1982)

UNLA Volleyball Club – Founder and Coach (1983)

Kansanga Volleyball Club – Co-Founder (1985)

St. Mbagga National Seminary, Gaba  - Volleyball Club – Co-Founder (1986)

Nemostars Volleyball Club – Founder (2005); Head Coach (2005-2009); Patron (2005-Todate)

Volleyball Associations:

Uganda Volleyball Association (Now Federation) – Founder (1973); Secretary General (1973-1989); Co-Patron (2004-Todate)

Confederation of Commonwealth Volleyball Associations (COVO) –Founder Board Member (1980)

Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) – Executive Member (1982-1986)

East and Central African Volleyball Confederation (ECAVCO) – Founder Member (1989); Vice-President (1989-1999); President (1999-2003)

Volleyball Championships instigated

Makerere University Open Volleyball Tournament _ 1969-2000

Inter Post Primary Schools Volleyball Championships Circuit _ 1969-1975

The Pepsi-Cola Volleyball Tourney _ 1972-1975

KAVC-MEM _ 1995-2000

District Championships in Masaka, Luwero and Mpigi _ 1990-1998

By Joseph Mary Ssempiira www.sportznow.ug writer.