Boxer Wasswa Ssali's age queried

May 23, 2017

The Africa Boxing Championship is meant for pugilists between 18 and 40-years of age.

Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) may have to do without one of their medal hopefuls at the forthcoming Africa Boxing Championship in Congo-Brazzaville due to a age mix up.

The championship is slated for May 27 - June 4.

As the Bombers prepare to depart for the championship on Friday, the organisers have written to UBF notifying them that lightweight boxer Wasswa Ssali is a minor and so ineligible to compete at the championships.

According to documents UBF submitted to African Confederation Boxing Championships (AFBC), Ssali is minor and cannot be allowed to compete in the Elite boxing championships.

Other boxers Kabuuka and Masembe, who are in the same category were eliminated from the national team after they lost their last test bout.

The Africa Boxing Championship is meant for pugilists between 18 and 40-years of age.

When contacted at Lugogo, UBF publicist Fred Kavuma acknowledged that they filed wrong dates of birth for the boxers.

"We went by dates indicated on their (boxers') passports but in reality the boxers are not minors. They are actually in their early twenties. We are trying to rectify the matter with organisers of the championships (AFBC)," Kavuma said.

It appears UBF was not aware of the age limit for the championship although Kavuma vehemently denied saying they wanted to rely on the boxers official documents.

The team plans to leave for Brazzaville on Friday for the championship which is also a qualifier for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, over the weekend.

Bombers Squad: Joshua Kiiza (light fly), Juma Miro (fly), Geoffrey Kakeeto, Marvin Sali (bantam), Ssali Waswa (lightweight), Musa Shadir (lightwalter), Muzamil Kakande (walter), Yusufu Babu (middle weight), Reagan Simbwa (light heavy), Shafic Kiwanuka (heavy weight), David Ayit (super heavy).

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