Sports Hall of Fame is long overdue

Oct 08, 2017

So, as we reflect on the 55 years, isn’t it time we thought about establishing a Hall of Fame

As we celebrate 55 years of independence, our sports sector needs to look back and reflect on the great moments that shaped the nation.

It is a story that began long before independence.

To be exact, it was seven years before the Union Jack came down when Ugandan athletes first sparkled.

A lean teenager from shocked even his colonial masters jumping his way to silver at the 1954 Commonwealth Games.

Patrick Etolu soared to 1.99 meters to win Uganda's first medal at a major international competition.

Next was boxer Tom Kawere who won silver at the 1958 Cardiff Commonwealth Games.

To date, Kawere, who turned 90 in June, still bitterly complains of being cheated.

It was from such biased decisions against black fighters that Kawere's team-mate Idi Amin came up with a simple but very effective formula.

"Just knock them out," Amin, an East African heavyweight champion, who later became Uganda's President, told Ugandan boxers.

The pugilists indeed took heed and what followed is what has come to be known as the golden era of Ugandan boxing.

The 1960s brought forth ring masters like Leo Rwabwogo and Eridad Mukwanga (RIP).

Rwabwogo, became the first Ugandan to win an Olympic medal by taking bronze at the 1968 Mexico Games.

Another Ugandan Eridad Mukwanga raised the bar even higher by punching his way to silver.

The 1972 Olympics are best remembered for John Akii-Bua's gold medal in the 400 meter hurdles. This towering police officer from the Lango plains cruised into the record books by not only shattering the world record, but also winning Uganda's first Olympic gold.

There was even more to Akii-Bua's feat. He was the first man to run under 48 seconds Akii-Bua's feat overshadowed another great performance.

This was from an injured Rwabwogo who punched his way to silver at the same games.

Fighting with a cracked bone Rwabwogo became the first and still remains the only Ugandan to win two Olympic medals.

Then boxer Ayub Kalule took centre stage. This young man from Kampala's downtown ghetto-Katwe blazed his way to gold in literally every major competition.

Kalule was the first African to win gold at the World Amateur Boxing Championship. He later also won a world title in the professional ranks.

Stars like John Mugabi and Drocus Inzikuru then followed before another great- Stephen Kiprotich- the only Ugandan to win both the Olympics and World Championships.

While compiling this piece I was shocked by the ignorance of our young generation. Names like Kawere, Rwabwogo, Mukwanga and Kalule were being heard for the first time!

So, as we reflect on the 55 years, isn't it time we thought about establishing a Hall of Fame?

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