In a sporting environment like Uganda’s where national teams struggle to attract enough support ahead of big tournaments, the going has always come tough for various sportsmen in the several sports disciplines in the country.
The case is not very different this time round as the national boxing team, the Bombers, prepare for the forthcoming Africa Boxing Championship that starts May 27 in Congo Brazzaville. The Federation is yet to get all the required funding ahead of the event but the group of 19 pugilists will be encouraged after National Council of Sports general secretary Nicholas Muramagi promised more support from NCS, the body that runs sport on government’s behalf.
While speaking to the boxers on Thursday, Muramagi encouraged the boys to give it their full concentration and try to win not only for the nation but for themselves too. “The fact that you have been selected shows that you have all it takes to compete at the highest level,” Muramagi, who was guest of honour as Betway Uganda delivered their support to the team, told the boxers. On the team’s plans of travel, Muramagi revealed that as NCS, they will avail six air tickets to the federation to lessen the burden and help the team make the championship.
“Boxing is one of the sports we have earmarked and it will receive more support from us,” Muramagi added. Muramagi was flanked by former Ugandan boxer Godfrey Nyakana, who also urged the group to fight for the pride of their nation whenever the chance presents itself. The team of 19 is residing at the National Council of Sports hostel in Lugogo and received more support from their sponsors Betway. The company gave the Bombers items like water, maize flour, sugar, baking flour, posho and rice to fulfill their pledge of feeding the team until their time of travel to Brazzaville.
“As Betway we know the history of Ugandan boxing and we believe there is still a lot of potential that needs nurturing,” Betway country representative Anton Opperman told the boxers. It was the second time for Betway to take food to the camp having delivered the first bunch of support in late March. The team started training early this month and head coach Patrick Lihanda is confident the boxers will do their best when the competition gets underway in less than a month’s time.
The African Boxing Championship is the biggest boxing event on the African continent and acts as a qualifier for the World Boxing Championships. In the last edition of African Boxing Championship held in Morocco two years ago, Uganda won 5 bronze medals at the previous championship held in Morroco two years ago. Only 7 boxers represented the county at the event then with Uganda expected to have increased representation this time round.