LOCAL Government Minister Paul Otuoma was the star attraction on Tuesday when he led Samia teams to four victories against their Ugandan counterparts who won one title at Bujwang'a Primary School in Sio Port.

Otuoma led his 10-member team to a 1-0 win over Uganda in a thrilling tug-of-war contest that saw the Funyula MP given a standing ovation at the end of the duel. Despite fielding Samia Bugwe South MP, Julius Maganda, Uganda failed to match the stylish Kenyans who lost last year's contest in Lumino, Uganda. Otuoma was in superb form with his anchor's role that proved an asset to his team at the Bananda Cultural Day that attracted hundreds of Funyula residents.

In football, Samia FC asserted their supremacy to beat Samia Uganda 1-0 in a thrilling match that was also witnessed by Amagoro MP, Sospeter Ojaamong and Samia Cultural and Sports Patron, Philip Were Mang'eni.

The lone goal of the match was scored in the 86th minute through Harmon Wanjala. Kenya also lifted the netball title after thrashing their Ugandan opponents 15-4 and the veterans' soccer title which they won 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 draw.

The country's only loss was in Ajuwa which the Ugandans won 30-4.

The Minister said: "The victory in the Samia Cultural Games was a true manifestation that Harambee Stars will start getting positive results against Uganda Cranes after spates of mediocre shows. We had remained under the shadows of Uganda but our emphatic victory confirms that the era of Kenyan being relegated to the periphery are now history," he said.