All the best
Jan 06, 2004
BOXING legend Leo Rwabwogo is convinced Uganda’s national boxing side can at a qualifier that starts in a week’s time in Morocco punch its way to the Athens Olympics.
By James Bakama
in Hima, Kasese
BOXING legend Leo Rwabwogo is convinced Uganda’s national boxing side can at a qualifier that starts in a week’s time in Morocco punch its way to the Athens Olympics.
“The boys are psyched up, they are punching hard but most important they have a sponsor who cares,†said Rwabwogo, who won a bronze at the 1968 Mexico Olympics and a silver at the next games in Munich.
Rwabwogo likened the sponsorship businessman Michael Ezra has sunk into boxing to the support they got for the 1968 and 72 Olympics from Kilembe Mines limited.
Uganda, which is yet to get qualifiers for the Athens Olympics, will field a team of eight fighters who have for a month been sharpening up at a high altitude camp in Hima.
Ezra paid a surprise visit to the team’s Hima Cement Social Center camp and had a word for the pugilists. “I am impressed by your form, but nothing will move me like getting qualifiers in Casablanca.â€
He dished out $200 (about sh400,000) to lightweight Eddy Akora whose Kampala home was robbed while the fighter was in camp in Hima. “It is sad that you were robbed while on national duty,†said the tycoon, as he handed over the cash to the unbelieving boxer.
In a bid to minimise distractions, the team will be flown from Hima to Entebbe on Monday where they will spend a night at Windsor Hotel before departure to Casablanca.
It however took some convincing on Monday before the boxers could wear the state-of-the-art ring boots bought by Ezra. Some of the fighters were later heard saying that they wanted to keep the boots as new as possible for the qualifiers.
Many Ugandan boxers fight bare footed, luckier ones box in sneakers, while those who can afford ring boots get them old.
The Bombers will after the Morocco qualifiers prepare for Botswana qualifiers in March.
in Hima, Kasese
BOXING legend Leo Rwabwogo is convinced Uganda’s national boxing side can at a qualifier that starts in a week’s time in Morocco punch its way to the Athens Olympics.
“The boys are psyched up, they are punching hard but most important they have a sponsor who cares,†said Rwabwogo, who won a bronze at the 1968 Mexico Olympics and a silver at the next games in Munich.
Rwabwogo likened the sponsorship businessman Michael Ezra has sunk into boxing to the support they got for the 1968 and 72 Olympics from Kilembe Mines limited.
Uganda, which is yet to get qualifiers for the Athens Olympics, will field a team of eight fighters who have for a month been sharpening up at a high altitude camp in Hima.
Ezra paid a surprise visit to the team’s Hima Cement Social Center camp and had a word for the pugilists. “I am impressed by your form, but nothing will move me like getting qualifiers in Casablanca.â€
He dished out $200 (about sh400,000) to lightweight Eddy Akora whose Kampala home was robbed while the fighter was in camp in Hima. “It is sad that you were robbed while on national duty,†said the tycoon, as he handed over the cash to the unbelieving boxer.
In a bid to minimise distractions, the team will be flown from Hima to Entebbe on Monday where they will spend a night at Windsor Hotel before departure to Casablanca.
It however took some convincing on Monday before the boxers could wear the state-of-the-art ring boots bought by Ezra. Some of the fighters were later heard saying that they wanted to keep the boots as new as possible for the qualifiers.
Many Ugandan boxers fight bare footed, luckier ones box in sneakers, while those who can afford ring boots get them old.
The Bombers will after the Morocco qualifiers prepare for Botswana qualifiers in March.