Bombers blame referees for finishing second

Dec 20, 2016

Uganda came second at the annual Bingwa wa Mabingwa Cup behind hosts Tanzania

National Boxing team coach Patrick Lihanda has attributed their second place finish in the just concluded Bingwa wa Mabingwa championship in Tanzania to biased refereeing and lack of a team doctor for his side at the tournament.

Lihanda was speaking at their welcome press conference at National Council of Sports boardroom on Monday.

Uganda came second at the annual Bingwa wa Mabingwa Cup behind hosts Tanzania that had four teams in the competition.

"We would have won the tournament but the referees and a lack of team doctor let us down. We would love to have a doctor on the team next time," Lihanda said.

His team captain Babu Yusuf who won a silver medal at the competition also voiced similar sentiments when he complained about the 'low standard of the boxing jury' at the championship that drew teams from Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

NCS general secretary Nicholas Muramagi who received the team appreciated the Bombers performance and promised to continue supporting them.

Out of seven Bombers, Muzamir Kakande, Nasir Bashir and Reagan Ssimbwa won gold medals at the competition while Babu and Nasir Bashir settled for silver medals. Flyweight Geoffrey Kakeeto returned with a bronze medal.

UBF general secretary Simon Barigo advised the relatively young squad to take advantage of the support from NCS to advance their careers.

"A career in boxing is relatively shorter compared to football and other sports disciplines. Make sure you achieve success before you are 27 years. We shall give you all the support you need," Barigo said.

Muramagi advised the boxers to focus on achieving international boxing body AIBA's World Series of Boxing status where they can earn millions of shillings as professionals.

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