By Isaac Akugizibwe

KIU, Main Campus-Despite being well built with a strong physical prowess, KIU Beach Soccer captain who is arguably the team's most valuable Player, Isaac Ishioke is known for his unique playing style which is not based on pure power but flair, agility, better positioning, excellent ball-playing skills and a high sense of leadership.

With great responsibility comes great pressure but Ishioke has somehow managed his captaincy role with ease and dexterity, contributing enormously to the KIU beach soccer team and has been part and partial of a set of individuals that have made this team one of the best in Uganda at least in the last six years.

He  was instrumental in KIU's incredible run to finish among the top four of the 2021/2022 Uganda Beach Soccer Association campaign, scoring 21 goals and contributing several others.

Ishioke has graced the green jerry since 2014, the year he was inaugurated into the team. To him, this gives him a great sense of honour.

"I feel great putting on the Green Jersey, representing KIU, it's an honour to do so and it gives me a great sense of responsibility and Honour," he admits.

His best moment with the KIU beach soccer team is during the 2018 Season when KIU went up to the final before falling to eventual champions and this season's winners, St Lawrence University.

While on the field of play, it is very easy to notice that the KIU Beach Soccer captain is a man who loves to win. He works hard to keep his team on top each time he takes to the sand. And his coach, Jeff Akabwai is the best witness to this.

"Isaac is one committed player who amidst all challenges was available for all the games we played. He is a person who loves to win-win and win. The reason he has been always available coz he always expects KIU team to win all games," KIU Soccer coach Jeff Akabwai testifies.

Having stayed at the Kansanga-based outfit for over eight years and still counting, Ishioke is competing for the same honour with the likes of Kyobe Sempa, his coach Jeff Akabwai, Jackson Muwanguzi and maybe Mufutao Uche as one of the longest-serving individuals in team KIU.

Kyobe Sempa is  KIU's longest-serving beach soccer player has been with the team since the inception of the game at Uganda's leading Private University. And there are no signs that the man who has since become a fan's favourite will leave soon.

"KIU is a great University and my time here has come with a lot of experiences and giving my skills in the game KIU choose me and I'm grateful to have stayed this long," he admits.

"As the Captain of KIU Bsc, I see myself as Brave and as a student of KIU, Smart,", he adds.

Ishioke's exemplary leadership has seen KIU remain afloat in the National beach soccer league even during times of uncertainty. Too much love and commitment to the team have at times seen him into his pockets to ensure all is well within the camp.

"Isaac is a motivator to the team. While we are down as a captain,he always encourages his teammates to wake up and even perform more and better," Akabwai acknowledges.

"In hard times, he has been helping me financially, meaning he always wanted the team to travel and play games," he adds.

A giant, a goal poacher and a cool finisher, lshioke is also credited for being  a great team player."He does things that always uplift the whole team to perform better and better."

There is an unresolved debate of whether Ishioke is KIU's all-time lead goal scorer or former forward Ismail Kagingo. Due to lack of dependable records, those who have been around beach soccer since it's inception believe Kagingo could have scored more while the current folk maintain the Nigerian has more goals than any one else in the history of KIU Beach Soccer team.

Some people argue that Isaac Ishioke might be among the league's lead goal scorers of all time yet he believes,he  could 
even be the best ,given the time he has played for KIU.

"I joined KIU Bsc in 2014 and I've played for KIU all these years and being KIU's and most likely the National League's Highest goals scorer of all time," he notes.
Playing bare foot on sand is somewhat a challenging experience but Ishioke like the rest of his team mates have had to exhibit a high level of bravery,hardwork and resilience and he admits,the game is quite different from contemporary soccer.

" Beach Soccer is quite different from Soccer but not in so many ways though similar skills are required but playing bare foot and on beach sand takes alot of bravery and Courage," he says.

Despite failing within margins , losing at the finals and on semifinals on several occasions, Ishioke is hopeful that he will one day bring the National glory to Kansanga and this will eventually become his greatest achievement.

 "I have been MVP of the league and FUFA beach soccer player of the year runner up.Winning the league will be a greater achievement for me and my team in beach soccer," he notes.

He plans to see all his dreams in the beautiful game come true in five years and hopes God will take the lead. His main prayer is to have more support towards the team and other sports at KIU.

" Finally I'll like to say as the Captain of KIU Bsc life in KIU and Uganda has been a blessing giving us a platform for Education and showcase of talent and I'll like to ask and appreciate Al- Hajji Dr. Hassan Basajjabalaba for his efforts so far and also urge him to put in some more into sports."