Standing at 5.9 feet is a lady basketball player, Claire Lamunu, plying her trade with local side, Kampala City Council and the Uganda national team – The Gazelles.
The infectious smile off the chocolate face of the lanky and affable player reciprocates her unquestionable respect for the game, team mates, fans and foes if any.
Steadily becoming a household name on the local basketball front, Lamunu, perhaps believes the best is yet come.
I want to train hard and maintain my form to keep winning every major basketball award and trophy
The reigning 2014 MVP boldly attests in an exclusive interview held at the Kawowo Sports’ home (Plot 18, Bukoto Street).
Nicknamed ‘Little Gazzelle’ Lamunu has had such a glittering career having commenced competitive basketball back then with the Gladiators’ club in 2012.
Previously, I was playing school basketball with Mt Saint Mary’s Namagunga S.S, but then, I would engage in other disciplines as handball, football, volleyball, hockey and netball
She elucidates on her sporting journey.
Claire giving her acknowledgement speech at the recently held FUBA gala at the Rwennzori Ball room, Sheraton Hotel, Kampala
Upon this year’s Christmas eve, Lamunu, a 3rd year Bio Medical Engineering student at Makerere University will be making 22 years.
Juggling Education Vis-à-vis Basketball:
The tale has never been easy to balance a demanding course as Bio medical engineering alongside a prosperous basketball career with the reigning league champions, Kampala City Council and the national team (The Gazelles).
I have managed to balance the training and match day engagements with my curriculum programme. Often, my club training sessions take place late in the afternoon after class and this has helped me a lot to balance ball (basketball as she tags it) and my studies
Lamunu notes.
Lamunu’s sporting Blood:
Lamunu, the 6th born in the family of 10 hails from a typically sporting lineage.
Filda Ocaya, her mother was a netball ace while the father, George Ocaya was a famous football and basketball star.
In fact, five of her siblings have played several sporting disciplines.
Patrick Ojwiya, the family’s first born is a soccer player, Steven Olara (basketball), Milly Laker (volleyballer with Vision Volleyball Club), Ian Otim (cricketer) and Roger Onen is a rugby player.
Little wonder therefore, the sporting genes in the family have witnessed Lamunu venture in a cross section of sporting disciplines when she was at high school.
I have now zeroed on basketball because it is difficult to find ample time for practice in the other games given my demanding schedule
She accounts.
Love Life:
Lamunu strongly believes in the old school adage ‘Behind every successful figure, there is an invisible soothing love touch’
On her love life, she however declines to reveal the true identify of that lucky gentleman – the husband to be.
He is very handsome and once I mention his name, I might lose him to ‘wannabies’, besides, I love to keep it simple
Lamunu, nick named ‘Baby Cow’ by her KCCA teammates reveals with a cocky smile.
She signs up with the magic codes to her sporting success especially in basketball that has already witnessed her transverse Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Russia and the United States of America.
I love to excel, I am athletic, disciplined and I give my all in training and above all, I always want to be on the winning side
Profile:
Full Names: Clairr Gloria Lamunu
Nick Names: Baby Cow and Little Gazzelle
Date of Birth: 24th December 1993
Parents: Mr George Ocaya and Mrs. Filda Ocaya
Education: Dade Nursery School, Luzira, St Kizito Primary School, Bugolobi (P1-3), St Angella, Kisaasi (P4-P7), St Mary’s Namagunga (O & A Level), Makerere University (2013 – todate) – student of Bio Medical Engineering.
Basketball Career Debut: With Gladiators against MUK sparks in 2012
Career Honours: 2nd Runners up national schools’ basketball, with Namagunga (2011), 1st Runners up in national women’s league with KCCA (2013), Champions with KCCA (2014), League MVP play offs (2014), MVP Zone 5 qualifiers, Top Scorer National Team (Zone 5 qualifiers), Top Scorer, Zone 5 clubs (in Mombasa, 2014), Top Scorer, Most Defensive Player in Zuku University Basketball Championship (2014), MVP, 1st Zuku University Basketball Championship (2014), Best Female Basketballer, Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA, 2014)
Games played: Basketball, Football, Volleyball Netball and Athletics
Sibilings: Patrick Ojwiya, Steven Olara, Milly Laker, Ian Otim, Roger Onen, Vivan Aber, Catherine Atim, Faith Aloyo Jok and Alex Ojera
Role Models: Henry Malinga, Flavia Oketcho (Locally), Kevin Durant, Britney Griner (International idols)
First Basketball Coach: Frank Olal (Gulu)
Best Dish: Rice, Fish with G.Nuts and Mango Juice
Social Media: Facebook (Claire Lamunu), Twitter (@claire Lamunu Gloria)
Hobbies: Reading the Bible, Shopping, watching animated videos and TV series.
Lamunu (with the ball) in action during a Friday Night Lights (FNL) fixture.