Lukanga open title challenge

By Samson Opus ANXIETY is high as powerhouse Lukanga boxers weighed-in for the national inter-mediates boxing championship starting at Lugogo Indoor Stadium today. The defending champions who had threatened to pull out after losing to Kampala Boxing Club (KBC) in the Novices last month entered 11 boxers each with their junior side Najja. Other top contenders among the 18 clubs that have entered 120 boxers in the weeklong event include debuntates Basajjabalaba Hides and Skins (BHS), KBC and Scorpions. 'Don King' Samuel Lukanga who voiced his threats alleging biased officiation last week was not sure of his stakes yesterday. "I am not sure whether we shall win because I have not been handling the team." Club coach Zebra Senyange was however, confident. "We have come for the trophy," he said after the weigh-in. Uganda Amateur Boxing Federation (UABF) secretary Issa Odongkara said, "we expect a stiff contest. Preparations have been rife." r Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) Vice President Rogers Ddungu boosted UABF with an offer of sh500,000 for the event. The one-week tournament precedes the most prestigious event in the UABF calendar - the National Open due in January. The tournament will be the second since Vincent Byarugaba replaced 'Ironman' David Agong last month as Federation chairman. Ends.