Computer illiterates mar King's Cup

By Samson Opus, Phillip Corry and Peter Ekarot POOR officiation marred the just concluded King's Cup tournament. Uganda Bombers won the title for the second year running. It required the intervention of International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) vice president Maj. Gen. Francis Nyangweso who restored order of the four-nation AIBA ranking event messed up by computer illiterate judges from semi-final level. Seven out of 21 referee/judges were computer novices introduced to computer scoring at the previous cup. The poor officiation reached its lowest in the semi-final Friday of the Kampala hosted event. Charged Gabonese caused a stir threatening to pull out of the event when they challenged the victory of Lukanga's Michael Obin against their lightweight fighter Claude Mboumba. The jury later reversed the result. Kenya also complained against Joseph Lubega's (Uganda) 5-3 victory over Gerald Ojuka (AFABA) a decision that was also reversed. "Some decisions were terrible, you did not even need to look at the score sheet." said one official. UABF secretary Issa Odongkara acknowledged the mess saying, "it was the jury that put us in a mess." Reversed decisions annoyed Lukanga club patron Samuel Lukanga who confronted Odongkara seeking clarification. Uganda Bombers however capped the week-long event with a spectacular show amassing 25 points. The Ugandan team collected 11 medals - 7 gold, 3 silver and a bronze. Kenya's army side AFABA finished second with nine points having bagged gold, 2 silver and 7 bronze. The tournament dedicated to the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Mutebi drew 62 boxers from four nations. r Junior lightweight champion Francis 'Machoman' Kiwanuka and Abdu 'Sabata' Kaddu's Africa title shots against Nigerians Aziz Onikoye and Samson Ajayi in Ibadan this Saturday have been put off. "The fights have been called off by the promoter until August", said Celestino Mindra, APBC ratings committee boss. r Ugandan women boxers could miss the African championship in Cairo July 5-10 for lack of funds for six players and two officials. UABF official Odongkara said the team needs US $4,000 (sh7m) to make the trip. Ends