60 African boxers for Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
Dec 23, 2006
UGANDAN boxers have to be extra good if they are to make it to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China as the IOC limits Africa's quota.
UGANDAN boxers have to be extra good if they are to make it to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
The International Olympic Committee has allocated Africa a quota of only 60 boxers from the 53 National Olympic Committees, according to a communication from the games organising committee.
“The organisers are trying to cut down the number of athletes in order to increase the competition and also cut on the number of days,†said Uganda Olympic Committee president Maj. Gen. Francis Nyangweso yesterday.
The boxers are expected to qualify from the All Africa Games, World Championships and a special tournament organised by the continent.
“The problem is that Uganda boxing has been chaotic. I just wish that after elections, they will settle and start to prepare for international events. But with such conditions, it will be even tougher,†said Nyangweso.
Boxing got a new president, Roger Ddungu last Saturday, who beat Justin Juuko 28-0 in the election re-run.