Promoter Gombya can’t locate Bashir Khan’s family

KAMPALA. As the crowds descended from the fully-packed parking lot of La’ponye Hotel on the dawn of December 27, most were wondering how underdog Muhamad Sebyala had battered and knocked out favourite Badru Lusambya.
And perhaps how soon would they get to their beds after spending the entire night awake, waiting for this much anticipated battle. The rest was none of their business.
But three weeks on, Daily Monitor returned to the promoter to ask a humanitarian question: did they give a portion of the event proceeds to the family of the late Bashir Khan, as they had promised in the build-up?
“Not yet,” promoter Eddie Gombya answered precisely. Why? “We are still willing and ready to contribute any amount within our means to the family of the late Bashir Khan but we have not met anyone who can connect us to his family,” said Gombya, the proprietor of Step by Step Promotions, who organised the Ekibiitu Ky’entomi [boxing fete] on Boxing Day.
“We didn’t just use it as a promotional tool, we meant it and it comes from the bottom of our hearts. And this won’t be the end of our commemoration of Bashir’s great works.”
Bashir Khan was a renowned broadcaster with NBS TV when kickboxing, with Gombya the federation general secretary, was fighting for media space. Before he succumbed to acute kidney failure in 2011 and buried in Butaleja Bashir Khan’s work helped in promoting the sport.
Gombya recalls Bashir Khan as “a very dedicated journalist who would cover our kickboxing events be it in Gulu, Arua, Lira, and report on them passionately, professionally and unconditionally.”
Even when he did not attend, Gombya remembers, Bashir Khan would call him for updates and ensured it goes on air. In him we really had a strong media advocate, that’s why it’s our duty to remember his works with a token to his family.”