Bombers finally begin 2018 Commonwealth Games training

Nineteen boxers begun non-residential training at Kampala Hockey Grounds, Lugogo on February 19, 2018 ahead of the Commonwealth Games due April 4 in Gold Coast, Australia.

What you need to know:

  • Boxing administrators are still embroiled in wrangles, with two rival federations and court battles replacing sporting action.

Kampala. Nineteen boxers begun non-residential training at Kampala Hockey Grounds, Lugogo on Monday ahead of the Commonwealth Games due April 4 in Gold Coast, Australia.
Patrick Lihanda, who leads the coaching staff, said the non-residential training is on for two weeks, after which the boys will be subjected to trials.

Co-trainer Lawrence Kalyango warned the boxers against complacence, and previous mistakes. “During the trials, your record won’t matter; whether you beat so and so last year,” the youth coach said. “You must win now to get a place on the team. You also have to be in weight, shave your beard, we can’t be repeating the old mistakes.”

Street Finance, a money-lending firm in Ntinda, boosted the training camp with a huge hamper of boxing equipment including 12 pairs of gloves, 12 skipping ropes, 12 sets of weights, 35 gum shields, among others. For two weeks the boxers will be training once a day and Sam Kabugo, another coach, urged them to continue with self-training and especially road work, before they enter residential camp.

Boxing administrators are still embroiled in wrangles, with two rival federations and court battles replacing sporting action. Justice Lydia Mugambe will give her ruling on the matter Thursday February 22. But realising that boxing is way behind the clock, Moses Muhangi’s executive wants to fix what can be fixed, before it is too late.