Bombers in limbo ahead of Commonwealth Games trials
Some of the boxers we spoke to said they respect both parties (Muhangi and Gimugu) because power struggles are none of their business. FILE PHOTO
What you need to know:
- Some of the boxers we spoke to said they respect both parties (Muhangi and Gimugu) because power struggles are none of their business. They opined, “For us we go to whoever invites us because we don’t know who is who, our dream is taking part in the Commonwealth Games.”
- Light flyweight Fazil Juma Kaggwa and super heavy weight Mike Ssekabembe got bronze medals at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
With two months away from the Commonwealth Games, the national boxing team should already be in preparatory camp.
But the boxers are still in limbo, unsure of where and when they will begin trials for the Games due April 4-15 in Gold Coast Australia.
The Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) is still waiting for National Council of Sports (NCS) to give them access to the national gym and hostels in Lugogo.
Fred Kavuma, first vice president UBF, said they applied for the above facilities but have not yet received response from NCS.
We could not get in touch with NCS officials because they did not pick our phone calls by press time.
However, Bernard Ogwel, assistant general secretary NCS, told us two weeks back that they will not give attention to the boxing body unless they sort out their differences concerning power struggles.
UBF has for long been buried in power struggles which resulted in two rival camps led by Moses Muhangi and Kenneth Gimugu respectively.
The divisions are the major reason for delay of federation events like the National League, Intermediates, Open and the Commonwealth preparation. Both camps claim responsibility for preparing the national team to Commonwealth Games.
Some of the boxers we spoke to said they are training under their club coaches. Meanwhile, Patrick Lihanda, Charles Lubulwa and Lawrence Kalyango will lead the national training.
On Monday, Muhangi met 17 boxers at Lugogo and briefed them on discipline. Last week, the Muhangi camp said the Commonwealth trials will begin March 17, just two weeks to the Games.
Some of the boxers we spoke to said they respect both parties (Muhangi and Gimugu) because power struggles are none of their business. They opined, “For us we go to whoever invites us because we don’t know who is who, our dream is taking part in the Commonwealth Games.”
Light flyweight Fazil Juma Kaggwa and super heavy weight Mike Ssekabembe got bronze medals at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
