Ugandan boxers vanish in Holland

Cash-strapped Ugandan boxers have vanished from camp in the Netherlands, where they had gone to prepare for Rio 2016 Olympic Games qualifiers in Azerbaijan.

Bantamweight Atanus Mugerwa and lightweight Sula Segawa reportedly went AWOL from Anda Boxing Club where they were under the care of Holland-based former national boxer Andaman Daku.

The escape follows a delay in funding for the boxers ahead AIBA Open Boxing World Olympic Qualification Event in Baka Azerbaijan on June 14-26.

The two boxers were among a five-man Bombers squad who sponsored themselves for the Eindhoven Boxing Cup in Netherlands as a build up for the event. Others are flyweight Fazil Juma, welterweight Nasser Bukenya and heavyweight Willy Kyakonye.

Nasser Bukenya

 After putting up a good show in the Eindhoven Boxing Cup in Netherlands last month, Mugerwa and Segawa needed facilitation for a connecting flight and accommodation in Baku.

Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) secretary Simon Barigo who confirmed the development said the move was a loss to the country.

"We are at a loss because this was a top cream of boxers. We have no words because we have lost control of the situation," said Barigo.

Only two Ugandan boxers Ronald Serugo and light heavyweight Katende qualified for Rio Games during the Africa Qualification Event in Cameroon in March.