Absence of boxing at C'wealth Games a big blow

Jun 01, 2010

UGANDA’S absence from the Commonwealth Games boxing ring in New Delhi, India, starting October 3 up to 14, will be a big blow to the country’s medal hopes.

By James Bakama

UGANDA’S absence from the Commonwealth Games boxing ring in New Delhi, India, starting October 3 up to 14, will be a big blow to the country’s medal hopes.

Boxing has won 24 of Uganda’s 32 medals in the quadrennial games where the country first featured in 1954 in Vancouver, Canada while athletics has won the rest.

Uganda Olympic Committee dropped boxing from the forthcoming games because of wrangles in the amateur boxing body. Two UABF factions have for over a year been wrangling over leadership.

UOC spokesperson Andrew Geno Omalla on Wednesday acknowledged that boxing was Uganda’s main medal source but noted that there was need for sanity. “It is unfortunate that these wrangles are undermining our most successful sport,” noted Omalla.

He however, added that UOC was ready to work with the boxing body provided it put its house in order. Ugandan pugilists stand out with seven gold medals, six silvers and 11 bronze since their maiden appearance at the Games in 1968.

The Bombers sparkled right from their entry into the Games with light heavyweight Tom Kawere winning silver. Uganda’s best performance at the event was at the 11th edition in Edinburgh where the team emerged boxing champions.

This was after Ugandan fighters punched their way to three gold, two silvers and five bronze medals. James Odwori (light fly), Muhammad Muruli (lightwelter) and Benson Masanda (heavy) were the gold medallists. Kawere’s silver had earlier marked the start of an impressive run which at the next Games in Perth, Australia, was followed with a haul of six medals.

Middleweight Peter Odhiambo, light welterweight Muhammed Muruli and heavyweight George Oywello won gold. Ayub Kalule (light weight-1974), Justin Juuko (light fly 1990) and Godfrey Nyakana (light weight 1990) are Uganda’s other gold medallists.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});