Sport-S middle blocker Samuel Engwau has reflected on his team’s journey so far this season, as one marked by a setback, but also a remarkable resurgence in the National Volleyball League Men’s Serie A.
Despite a shaky start in which they relinquished their National Clubs Championship title to Nemostars in September, Engwau and his teammates have turned their fortunes around.
Now sitting undefeated at the top of the league table with 17 points from six games, Sport-S is on a determined path to defend their league crown according to Engwau.
During an exclusive interview with NBS Sport, the volleyballer reflected on the season so far, describing it as a balance of highs and lows.
“This season hasn’t been bad, but it also hasn’t been good. We failed to defend our National Championship, we lost to Nemo, but we had to put that aside and move on,” he said.
Sport-S fell to Nemostars 3-1in the National Clubs Championship final in September, but the team later avenged the loss with a thrilling five set 3-2 league victory over the same opponents last month, where they came from two sets down to win the game.
Engwau cited this match as his personal highlight of the season so far.
“I believe that our best game so far this season is the one we played against Nemo and defeated them. I wouldn’t say it was a payback, but it felt good,” he said, adding that the clash was heightened by the longstanding rivalry between the two clubs.
“Nemo always train hard for Sport-S because both teams have the best players who feature for the national team, so basically the game is a derby between those players.”
Eyes on the Prize
With Sport-S riding high on their league performance, Engwau is optimistic about their ambitions for the season.
According to Engwau, the team is not only aiming to retain their league title but also setting sights on the Zone 5 Volleyball Club Championships in Nairobi, after losing last year’s final in Rwanda.
“As a team, we’re currently looking at winning the league this season. We want to defend our league title. We’re also anticipating going to the Zone 5 Championships in Nairobi and winning them. Last time we were finalists, but this time we want to be champions,” he revealed.
On a personal level, Engwau is equally driven, targeting recognition as one of the best players of the season and adding to his prize cabinet.
“I’m trying to work on being the best player this season, but I’m also targeting all the big tournaments we’re going for because I need to at least have an accolade,” he shared.
The Sport-S’ Formula for Success
Sport-S has emerged as a dominant force in Ugandan volleyball, with two National Volleyball League titles and two National Clubs Championship titles in the last three years.
The club boasts six league titles overall, and Engwau credits this success to the management’s commitment to player welfare.
“The management puts players first. They think about the well-being of players. Currently, players needed exposure, and they introduced the streaming of games,” he explained.
“Sport-S also offers free gym services to players and all other services that players need. Anything concerning a player’s welfare is catered for.”
This support, Engwau added, has cultivated a culture of excellence at the club, hence the success.
“They always call us the home of classic volleyball. Everyone appreciates the type of volleyball that we play.”
A Journey of Growth
Engwau’s journey to Sport-S began in 2022 after stints with Vision Volleyball Camp (VVC) from 2014-17 and 2021-22, and UCU Doves (2017-20).
A banker by profession, having graduated from UCU, he joined Sport-S alongside his twin brother, Emmanuel Okia, filling a critical gap in the team’s middle-blocking department, forming a duo that has become arguably the best in the country.
“We joined Sport-S when they lacked middle players because one of their middle players had left. We came in and had to lift the team and give them assistance in the middle,” Engwau said.
Their impact was immediate, helping the team overcome the hurdle of reaching league finals but often falling short.
“By the time we came in, Sport-S had won national championships, but winning the league was a hurdle. The year we came in, things changed, and we won the league,” he recounted.
In three years with Sport-S, Engwau has achieved considerable success, winning two league titles and two National Clubs Championships.
He also reached the Zone 5 final with the team, an experience he believes underscores the exposure and growth he has gained.
“I’ve spent three years at Sport-S and won the league twice and also two national championships. I’ve played the Zone 5 final at Sport-S, though we lost, and through Sport-S, I’ve been exposed to different countries,” he noted.
