A week after being officially endorsed by the National Council of Sports (NCS), the Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) led by Moses Muhangi has scored a land mark feat as the national team embarks on preparations for the Commonwealth games in Australia.
On Monday, 19th February 2018, a financial firm, Street Finance donated assortment of boxing gear worth Shs 5M to the Executive Committee and the national team boxers.
The boxing equipment includes gloves, pads, mouth guards, training ropes, reflector jackets and weights.
This equipment was officially handed over by the company’s loans’ administrator Esther Nampiima at the offices of the UBF located at Lugogo.
Muhangi saluted the sponsors;
We are very grateful for this timely offer.
This is testament of what we promised as we took over office. These are some of the instant fruits and more are coming.
In her brief address, Nampiima expressed the urge to continue supporting boxing;
When we were approached to offer a helping hand, we could not hesitate. We call upon other willing sponsors to come on board and support our boxers.
On the same day, the national team preparing for the Commonwealth games officially started training with light shadow boxing at the Lugogo Hockey pitch.
[/media-credit] Heavy weight boxer Shafiq Kiwanuka during a shadow boxing session on the Hockey pitch at Lugogo on Monday Credit:
At the moment, there are 21 boxers in non residential drills that will last for a fortnight before the team heads to camp.
The boxers are undergoing training under the watchful eyes of five coaches.
The coaches include; Lawrence Kalyango, Patrick Lihenda, Charles Lubulwa, China Kasumba and Muhammed Kateregga.
Uganda Boxing Federation is thus expected to assemble a formidable team of boxers that will be named by March 2018 ahead of the XXI Commonwealth games which kick off on 4th April till 15th April 2018.
There are 70 countries that have duly registered to take part in this year’s Commonwealth games that will be hosted in the lavish Gold Coast city.
Uganda will be represented in boxing, Squash, Athletics, Swimming, Badminton, Netball, Cycling and Weightlifting.
The last Commonwealth games were hosted by Glasgow city in Scotland (2014).
Birmingham city in England will entertain the 2022 games.