Aldrine Nsubuga
6 September 2008
opinion
Kampala — On Wednesday evening, Footballer of the Year Award nominee Steven Bengo walked into Namboole stadium like an international music star...Akon, may be?
With dark shades on, a black jacket buttoned half way with white t-shirt inside, blue faded jeans almost dropping, large bronze chains falling over his chest, white sneakers, dread-locked hair and a toothpick in his mouth, Bengo looked like a super star. And he is.
He had two calm looking body guards on either side and another closely following behind. Walking at a slightly bent angle , his "bad" guy image was made complete by the mean looking face and silence that engulfed the air surrounding the quartet.
The occasion wasn't a league match where he usually is the star man and the reason for the hype but a more subtle one where he was required to be present at the unveiling of the top prize to be given to the maiden Nile Special FUFA Footballer of the Year award winner. A brand new salon car.
Just like his running mates Brian Omwony and Ceasar Okuthi, the three had been asked to add colour to the unveiling with their physical presence. And they did.
As the Toyota Corona was unwrapped on the red turf with colourful Nile Special pull up banners standing tall, Bengo stepped up and took position to pose for the television cameras and still photographers. Sylvia Owor should have been present because the Villa midfielder seems to have a talent for modelling.
A dream for the industry. I can't wait to see the pictures. Infact, I begun praying that Bengo emerges the winner so that we can enjoy more of his super star poses. Such an entertainer.
There were other Hollywood like performances off the pitch from the likes of Geoffrey Massa who plays his football in Egypt and Nestroy Kizito.
When Massa stepped out of his private car on arrival for the training, he immediately summoned three casual boys. To one he gave his training boots to carry, to the other he gave the bag with his training kit and the third he gave his mobile phone. He walked ahead of them bouncing and bulging like the big master, the bourgeoisie.
He didn't even say a word to the three boys who just felt like they were walking on clouds carrying a professional's tool kit.
I watched the performance with a grin and told my media colleagues that if this is what it means to be a national team footballer these days, then we are about to arrive. The Nile Special Footballer of the Year awards should have come sooner. The bar has been raised.
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