EBB dissolved
Jun 21, 2004
THE Ezra Boxing Board (EBB) has been dissolved.
By James Bakama and Swalley Kenyi
THE Ezra Boxing Board (EBB) has been dissolved.
Johnson Kasajja, who resigned from the board last week, yesterday announced that he dissolved the body immediately after closing the Kabale Olympic training camp.
“My terms of reference entrust me with such powers,†said Kasajja, who resigned as EBB coordinator after five Olympic bound boxers escaped from camp complaining he was mistreating them.
Kasajja, flanked by national coach Dick Katende, told a press conference at Hotel Africana that he has also recommended to sponsor Michael Ezra to revoke his offer of houses, cars and cash prizes for excellence in the Olympics.
EBB patron Ezra’s stand on the development is yet to be known.
On claims that he had not paid boxers, Kasajja displayed documents where boxers Jolly Katongole, Brian Mayanja, Sam Rukundo, Sadat Tebazalwa, team captain Joseph Lubega (speaking left) and coach Dick Katende signed for their stipend up to May.
“I treated the boys like my sons. I even risked my life for EBB’s sake,†said the veteran administrator, who now walks with a clutch after tearing a ligament in camp.
Coach Katende narrated his shock at finding his pugilists missing, and said what the boxers failed to understand was that Kasajja’s autocratic nature was intended to secure excellence.
At another press conference, the Athens-bound boxers apologised to their sponsor Ezra.
“Ezra should forgive us but he used a wrong man (Johnson Kasajja) to handle us. We are still at his (Ezra) service,†Sadat Tebazalwa said.
“While we trained, Kasajja interfered with decisions of the coach (Katende). He often shouted vague instructions like ‘kill him!’ I could not understand who was to be killed,†Rukundo said.
Ends
THE Ezra Boxing Board (EBB) has been dissolved.
Johnson Kasajja, who resigned from the board last week, yesterday announced that he dissolved the body immediately after closing the Kabale Olympic training camp.
“My terms of reference entrust me with such powers,†said Kasajja, who resigned as EBB coordinator after five Olympic bound boxers escaped from camp complaining he was mistreating them.
Kasajja, flanked by national coach Dick Katende, told a press conference at Hotel Africana that he has also recommended to sponsor Michael Ezra to revoke his offer of houses, cars and cash prizes for excellence in the Olympics.
EBB patron Ezra’s stand on the development is yet to be known.
On claims that he had not paid boxers, Kasajja displayed documents where boxers Jolly Katongole, Brian Mayanja, Sam Rukundo, Sadat Tebazalwa, team captain Joseph Lubega (speaking left) and coach Dick Katende signed for their stipend up to May.
“I treated the boys like my sons. I even risked my life for EBB’s sake,†said the veteran administrator, who now walks with a clutch after tearing a ligament in camp.
Coach Katende narrated his shock at finding his pugilists missing, and said what the boxers failed to understand was that Kasajja’s autocratic nature was intended to secure excellence.
At another press conference, the Athens-bound boxers apologised to their sponsor Ezra.
“Ezra should forgive us but he used a wrong man (Johnson Kasajja) to handle us. We are still at his (Ezra) service,†Sadat Tebazalwa said.
“While we trained, Kasajja interfered with decisions of the coach (Katende). He often shouted vague instructions like ‘kill him!’ I could not understand who was to be killed,†Rukundo said.
Ends