Muhoozi pledges to support boxing

Lukanga Boxing Club emerged winners of the National Open Boxing Championship that was rich in class and quality.

Watching arguably the best organised national boxing event ever, fans had reason to stay until 1.00am when the overall winners were crowned.

An excited Lukanga coach Twaibu Mayanja said: "This is the beginning. We have reclaimed the trophy we last won in 2016 and we are not going to look back again."

As promised by Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) president Moses Muhangi, the event was colourful, bigger and better organised than ever before.

The security managed by UPDF, arrangement in the arena matched standards of a national event. "I wish we had a bigger venue because many fans were left out," Muhangi said.

Muhoozi urges

In his speech, chief guest Muhoozi Kainerugaba stated: "I encourage both the public and private sectors to invest a lot more in sports.

 Maj. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba arrives at the National Open Boxing championship

"This is especially important because a large segment of our population (the youth) spend a lot of time participating in sports in one way or another. So supporting
sports is actually a matter of national security. It's very important," he said.

About supporting boxing, Muhoozi stated: "I have been informed that the federation has 40 registered teams that usually participate in the final competition.

I have therefore decided to support each team with two pairs of boxing gloves making a total of 80 pairs (sh17.2m), one punching bag each team making a total of 40 punching bags (sh10.4m) and two punching pads per team making a total of 80 pairs (sh6.8m). The total monetary contribution for all this equipment is sh34.4m."

 HAVE THAT: Boxers Boy Omondi exchanges punches with James Muyingo (right) on Sunday

"Bebe Cool told me about your old boxing ring. Apparently, you have used the same one since the days of Idi Amin. I will inform the President and he will buy you a new one."

The overall winner received a motorcycles, runners-up a bull and third a goat, while the winning clubs in each category received sh2m.