Bombers are 'fit and ready'

BOXING

"They are fully fit and ready to bring home gold medals."

This is what the head coach of The Bombers, Uganda's national boxing team, said after Wednesday morning's training session at Luzira.

"We have been here for three weeks and they are listening, respectful and show great desire to represent their nation," said Patrick Lihanda.

The boxers have been camped inside Luzira Prison ahead of their scheduled departure to Senegal's capital Dakar on Sunday for the Africa Olympics qualifiers.

According to Lihanda, the 13 boxers have showed professional discipline and zeal to represent their country.

Minister of State for Sports, Hamson Obua visited the Bombers last week in Luzira

Training has changed. Spiring and carrying weights has been dropped and focus has been shifted to running and mastering punching skills.

Alex Bwambale, a heavyweight boxer, said that from the training they have had, nothing will get in their way of winning gold medals.

"Coach Lihanda is a good coach the time he has handled me. I have been able to learn alot. Just like other boxers, we are going to bring home gold medals," he said.

The qualifiers for the Olympics are scheduled to run from 20-29 in Dakar.

Gold and silver medalists will automatically book slots to represent their respective nations in the 2020 Tokyo Japan Olympics in July.


ALSO RELATED TO THIS STORY

Sports minister to boxers: Aim for Olympic gold

Obua pledges to make athletes' stipend a policy

Bombers impress coach Lihanda