Boxers prepare for Cuba trip
Apr 01, 2004
UGANDA’S Olympic-bound boxers will, in a trip to Cuba in July, have an opportunity of getting closer to the lucrative prizes set by tycoon Michael Ezra for excellence at the Athens Games.
By James Bakama
UGANDA’S Olympic-bound boxers will, in a trip to Cuba in July, have an opportunity of getting closer to the lucrative prizes set by tycoon Michael Ezra for excellence at the Athens Games.
Cuba is the world’s top amateur boxing nation- a fact that coach Dick Katende wants to fully exploit ahead of the August 10 to 29 games.
Jolly Katongole (l/fly), Brian Mayanja (feather), Sam Rukundo (light), Sadat Tebazalwa (welter) and Joseph Lubega (middle) together with coach Dick Katende will earn houses, cars and several millions of shillings in cash if they excel in Athens.
The Ezra Boxing Board (EBB), financier of Uganda’s boxing olympic campaign, has started making arrangements for the trip likely to last a month. Preparations for the Cuba trip and ultimately the Olympics will according to EBB coordinator Johnson Kasajja and Katende start soon.
“It is important that by the time we travel. The boys are in shape considering that standards in Cuba are very high,†says Kasajja. The Olympics are the pinnacle of amateur boxing. Leo Rwabwogo, Eridad Mukwanga and John “the Beast†Mugabi are the only Ugandans to have won medals in the Olympic ring.
Rwabwogo, Uganda’s only double Olympic medallist, has had his efforts recognised with a sh20m offer from Ezra.
Uganda’s previous link with Cuba had coach Jimenez Lazaros handling the national side. Cuba’s capital Havana also evokes sweet memories for Uganda.
Ayub Kalule in 1974 became the first African to win a World Championship gold. This was at the competition’s inaugural edition in Havana. Another Ugandan Joseph Nsubuga won silver.
The five Athens-bound boxers are currently more into massage and steam bath sessions.
Team captain Lubega is also using this time as a recovery period for an injured hand.
Ends
UGANDA’S Olympic-bound boxers will, in a trip to Cuba in July, have an opportunity of getting closer to the lucrative prizes set by tycoon Michael Ezra for excellence at the Athens Games.
Cuba is the world’s top amateur boxing nation- a fact that coach Dick Katende wants to fully exploit ahead of the August 10 to 29 games.
Jolly Katongole (l/fly), Brian Mayanja (feather), Sam Rukundo (light), Sadat Tebazalwa (welter) and Joseph Lubega (middle) together with coach Dick Katende will earn houses, cars and several millions of shillings in cash if they excel in Athens.
The Ezra Boxing Board (EBB), financier of Uganda’s boxing olympic campaign, has started making arrangements for the trip likely to last a month. Preparations for the Cuba trip and ultimately the Olympics will according to EBB coordinator Johnson Kasajja and Katende start soon.
“It is important that by the time we travel. The boys are in shape considering that standards in Cuba are very high,†says Kasajja. The Olympics are the pinnacle of amateur boxing. Leo Rwabwogo, Eridad Mukwanga and John “the Beast†Mugabi are the only Ugandans to have won medals in the Olympic ring.
Rwabwogo, Uganda’s only double Olympic medallist, has had his efforts recognised with a sh20m offer from Ezra.
Uganda’s previous link with Cuba had coach Jimenez Lazaros handling the national side. Cuba’s capital Havana also evokes sweet memories for Uganda.
Ayub Kalule in 1974 became the first African to win a World Championship gold. This was at the competition’s inaugural edition in Havana. Another Ugandan Joseph Nsubuga won silver.
The five Athens-bound boxers are currently more into massage and steam bath sessions.
Team captain Lubega is also using this time as a recovery period for an injured hand.
Ends