Boxing factions agree to reconcile at last

By Norman Katende

THE factions vying for the leadership of local boxing governing body (UABF) have asked the international body AIBA, to help them in interpreting some clauses in the draft constitution they have been given before they pass it.

For the first time in over six years, the two factions met in a workshop chaired by Uganda Olympic Committee vice president Denis Galabuzi and agreed to put their differences aside.

The workshop held at Oasis Club, Lugogo on Saturday, started on a wrong note with either group baying for the other’s blood until former boxer Justin Juuko stood up to speak and restored sanity.

“All of us here have achieved. But what we are doing is impacting negatively on the youngsters’ future. Let us sober up, forget our egos and personal differences and work towards uplifting the sport,” Juuko appealed as the meeting threatened to break up.

Galabuzi had in the opening remarks told both the Godfrey Nyakana and Ntege Ssengendo’s factions to start a new chapter that will benefit boxing.

“Well as AIBA is supposed to play a supervisory role, most of the elements they are supposed to supervise are technical. We also have autonomy to run our boxing,” observed Nyakana.

However, members raised concerns including the requirement for a non-refundable $300 (sh760,000) for those intending to stand for FUBA presidency.

They also questioned why the money for affiliation should be quoted in dollars and whether the AIBA statutes bars former professionals from elective positions as is reflected in the draft constitution.

“We shall write to AIBA for clarification on the matters and we are hopeful they will respond in time,” said Galabuzi after the meeting that was also against the president appointing his executive.

The boxers were also not comfortable with UOC being the returning officer, blaming the current fiasco to the committee president Rogers Ddungu. The meeting was also attended by Ssengendo, the leader of the other faction.