At the time power attacker Ivan Ongom switched from UCU Doves to Sport-S, he was looked at as the next big thing in Ugandan volleyball.
His game was expected to take long strides since he was going to be playing at a team with experienced players in Warren Muhangi, Dickens Otim, Andrew Wandera and Albert Gayi. Gayi and Muhangi were to play a coach’s role that would make the 22-year old flourish only on attack but also other areas of the game.
Ongom has struggled to have consistent performances in the NSSF Volleyball League especially against big teams like Nemsotars and KAVC Yet he believes Sport-S stand a big chance to reach their first league final since 2011, and his first as a player.
“We are taking one game at time, go past the semifinal stage first then we can talk of the finals after getting there,” Ongom told Kawowo Sports.
To qualify for the finals, Ongom and Sport-S will have to first go past defending champions Nemostars.
“They beat us in the first round of the regular season (3-2) and we beat them in the second round (3-1).” “So we go into the playoffs on equal footing, but of course am sure Sport-S is more prepared mentally and physically,” he added.
Nemostars defeated Sport-S 2-1 at the semifinal stage to win the first league title, then Ongom was just trying to find his feet at UCU.
NSSF Volleyball League 2014 Playoffs starting October 11
Men’s Serie A Semifinals:
KAVC Vs Nkumba
Nemostars Vs Sport-S
Women’s Semifinals:
Nkumba Vs Ndejje
VVC Vs UCU
Serie A and B Relegation and Promotion playoffs:
OKVC vs JVC; Cobap vs Sport-S Tigers