Gulu’s coach Kenneth ‘Dragon’ Kidega instructs boxer Rubangkene (Photo/Courtesy)
David GOMBE
The three-day National trials organised by the Interim Uganda Boxing Federation led by Olympian Sam Rukundo climaxed on Monday at Gozalo Sports Arena in Makerere Kikumi Kikumi.
The event attracted over 96 boxers from 25 clubs who battled out for slots to the plane to Kinshasa for the Africa Boxing Championship.
There were fears that trials organised by Rukundo and a non-profitable organisation Friends of Boxing were not to be held with Moses Muhangi’s leadership vowing to stop the event.
Muhangi was over-powered and the event smoothly went ahead with several boxers showcasing their potential in the battle for flight to the 2026 IBA Africa Elite Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships.
According to the organizers, the selected team will enter residential training camp on Thursday to embark on preparations for the event due in DR Congo.
On the final day, Leila Nalule overcame Gulu Boxing Club’s Laker Sharon on a 4-1 point split decision, while Ebong Emmy of Hadar had a walkover over Lawrence Kayiwa of Kitintale in Super Heavyweight.
Nsamba Ronald from Nansana also smiled to a walkover over Kampala Boxing Club’s Lutwama Aceam in the middleweight category.
Wandera Ronnie Masiga from Sentamu defeated Asiimwe Reagan of Kitintale by RSC in first round while Lukwago Sadiq from Kikyusa won Kitintale’s Nassir Mpindi on 4-1 split points decision.
Hassan Musuza knocked out Odur Bazil while Damba Stephen also had a knockout victory over Sayid Said.
Tayebwa Saddick defeated Ali Mirembe Mesiah while Rubangakene Ronald lost to Nyanzi Muhamed. Ogen Lucky lost to Musisi John.
The selected team will be sponsored by Friends of Boxing to represent Uganda at the African Boxing Championship to be staged in Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa from 19 October to 1 November.