Pemba now sets sights on martial arts arena
L-R: Jack Pemba, a philanthropist, president of Pemba Sports Africa and president of WFM-Africa, Brian O'Donoghue (figher), Sultan El Sayed the president of the WFM-Middle East and Asia and Mike O'Brien the president WFM. Courtesy photo
KAMPALA.
Whether successful or not the one thing philanthropist Jack Pemba cannot be faulted for is a lack of effort in promoting sports in the country.
First there was the fascination with kickboxing that included sponsorship of various fighters most notably Umar Semata.
That was quickly followed by the much publicized funding of body builder Ivan Byekwaso as he clinched the Mr Natural Universe title in 2015 before the pair’s falling out.
Early last year the city tycoon left many dumbfounded after announcing a Shs250m a year five year sponsorship of one of Uganda’s premier basketball clubs Warriors.
Jack Pemba president WFM-Africa (Centre) and fellow WFM top officials pose for a photo with fighters. Courtesy photo
This was in addition to several humanitarian partnerships with Robert Kayanja’s Miracle Centre Church among others.
Interest has lately shifted to martial arts following his appointment as president of the Africa Elite Martial Arts Federation in January.
This week, the flamboyant businessman, Pemba announced plans to build a state of the art arena that will focus mainly on martial arts.
“World Federation of Elite Martial Arts (WFM) will pay for everything and all we are required to do is locate land where we want the arena to be built,” stated Pemba in a phone interview.
According to Pemba the arena will act as a the headquarters of martial arts in Africa as well as holding training school for fighters in and around East Africa.
