Mubikirwa to miss Mr Kampala Bodybuilding title defence championships

 

     

LUBAGA - Body builder Isaac Mubikirwa will not be allowed to defend his Mr. Kampala title that he won last year as the Uganda Body Building and Fitness Association (UBBFA) targets producing more stars.

 

Addressing a press conference at UBBFA offices at Body Temple Gym in Lubaga, during the launch of the new championship, UBBFA secretary, Richard Ssentongo Ssamanya said the restrictions on barring the defending champion from defending his title was aimed at opening up competition at the base so that more musclemen are encouraged to compete at the highest level.

 

"Mr. Kampala is the starting point so we don't want one athlete to stagnate at this level for a long time but otherwise aim at continuous improvement at international competitions up until when they can get a professional card," Ssamanya reasoned.

 

Mubikirwa said missing the Mr. Kampala championship gives him more time to prepare for other international tournaments and will return to the local events during the Mr. Uganda championship where he is also the defending champion.

 

UBBFA opens its 2018 calendar on June 9 with the 27th edition of the annual Mr. Kampala Championship to be held at the International University of East Africa (IUEA) (former Didis World) auditorium in Kansanga.

 

"We want to continue innovating and also spreading and introducing the sport to different parts of the country.

 

"The IUEA auditorium is one of the best in East Africa so fans will have a unique experience and we are very grateful to them for not only offering the venue but even the security around the event," Ssamanya stated.

 

He said the championship will be held under the theme; ‘Discipline as a core value in bodybuilding'.

 

Hassan Ssematimba the Marketing Manager of IUEA said they were convinced to partner with UBBFA because one of their visions was to not only give accessibility and affordable education to Ugandans and Africans but were also trying to identify talent and get involved in sports.

 

"We have been involved in a campaign and pushing the agenda of employability and we find bodybuilding a health sport and UBBFA is running the sport in a health way without engaging in the use of steroids impresses us," Ssematimba said.

 

UBBFA president Twaha Ddungu said the event was a precursor to the Mr. Uganda championship which attracts the best 10 athletes from this championship.

 

"This sport is good because it sharpens both the body and mind. We have line up fantastic prizes from our different sponsors and fans will enjoy a spacious environment because the auditorium sits 2000 people," Ddungu said.

 

He said the ‘Strongest Body Builder Championship' will follow the Mr. Kampala championship ahead of the Mr. Uganda championship later in the year.

 

The event is sponsored by IUEA, Mukwano Industries, Kwese TV, University of Pain and Body Temple Gym.