National Open now night event

Feb 05, 2007

LOCAL boxing authorities have reverted to night competition in an effort to capture the big attendances that once characterised the sport.

By James Bakama & Samson Opus

LOCAL boxing authorities have reverted to night competition in an effort to capture the big attendances that once characterised the sport.

The new approach starts with next week’s National Open where action will run from 6pm to 9.30pm. “We want to capture the working class,” said Uganda Amateur Boxing Federation publicist Sande Musoke.

“Our main target will be to make some money from the gate,” explained Musoke of the championship where attractions will include musicians, a raffle and cash prizes for the boxers.

Winners will earn sh 0.2m while runners-up are assured of sh0.1m. A motorcycle is at stake for the overall winning team. Lukanga Boxing Club is the defending champion.

The sport has been attracting low attendances largely because of competition time. Events would start at 1pm and end at 7pm.

Amateur boxing was last staged at night in the eighties but insecurity prompted change.

Innovations that boxing boss Roger Ddungu wants in the February 10-18 competition include live TV and radio coverage.

There will also be HIV and Hepatitis B tests before the action.

Meanwhile, adds Norman Katende, only 25 of the over 65 technical officials turned up for mandatory tests, before they could be cleared to officiate at the National Open.

“Every official was given an invitation but others did not turn up. We only received 25 technical officials who sat for the exam and of these, only 16 passed,” Sande Musoke said.

Only one female Juliet Nyanzi passed the test, set by the technical committee.

The officials:
A. Egget, S. Tulibagenyi, M. Kintu, M. Ssebuliba, S. Musoke, J. Nyanzi, R. Ssebikejje, S. Kisuuko, P. Arienda, S. Osigire, J. Sekimpi, M. Ssebuguzi, B. Korokoto, J. Sekinoga and J. Muwumba.

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