Overview:
The four pugilists Jimmy Adriko, Alfred Ojok, Angel Katushabe and Fatuma Nabikolo are now all in the best shape ahead of the championship start on Wednesday in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia.
Temperatures in the Saudi Arabian city of Riyadh city are high. Daily highs can exceed 45∘C with the lowest record not below 27∘C.
For guests from countries like Uganda whose highest temperatures never go beyond 25∘C are finding a real tough time to adjust.
Host city of the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games, Riyadh has harshly welcomed the Ugandan delegation that has 39 athletes with boxing, swimming, Table Tennis, Wrestling, Athletics, Para-Powerlifting and weight lifting all represented.
The Uganda national boxing team, the Bombers are quickly adjusting to these hot weather conditions.
Being the first Ugandan team among the seven to arrive in Riyadh, the boxers were hit by the hot weather.
Under head coach Samuel Kabugo, the boxers have since soldiered on to train for now three days since arrival on Sunday morning.
The four pugilists Jimmy Adriko, Alfred Ojok, Angel Katushabe and Fatuma Nabikolo are now all in the best shape ahead of the championship start.
“It is hotter here (Riyadh) than home in Kampala. The solution is to hydrate as much as possible and keep healthy. We are however getting used since all the fighters shall be under the same conditions” head coach Kabugo commented.
Adriko who will compete in the 60 Kg cluster had to work harder to trim off the extra weight he traveled with.
“When I arrived here (in Riyadh), I was outside my weight. I have however worked hard and now fitting in the weight category. I am also getting used to the very hot days and very cold nights” Adriko testifies.
Nabikolo, a gold medalist at the recently concluded Africa zone 3 championships in Nairobi eyes a podium finish.
“I am geared up and ready to attack my opponents from the first go. I am more than ready to enter the ring and the target remains one, a medal” Nabikolo vows.
The boxing competition is expected to commence on Wednesday, 5th November 2025 with the technical meeting coming on Tuesday evening.
Meanwhile, the second team to arrive in Riyadh from Uganda will be the swimming team on Wednesday morning.
For starters, these will be the 6th edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games where Uganda has competed in all.
Categories:
Adriko is in the 60 Kg docket, Katushabe (51 kg), Nabikoolo (57kg) and Ojok shall compete in the 80 kg cluster.
Overall, Uganda has a total of 39 athlete with other disciplines as Aquatics, Athletics, Wrestling, Weightlifting, Para-Powerlifting and Table Tennis also represented.
Athletes aside, Uganda also has International Technical Officials (ITOs) in Salim Musoke Ssenkungu, Janet Musoke Namwanga (Weightlifting), Monicca Nassuuna (Basketball) and Fula Aciga (Boxing).
Hajji Sadick Zaid Nasiwu, the delegation Chief De Mission arrived in Riyadh on Tuesday morning.
Uganda Boxers in Riyadh:
Boxing: Jimmy Adriko (60 kg), Angel Katushabe (51 kg), Fatuma Nabikolo (57 kg), Alfred Ojok (80 kg)