Uganda taking five Bombers for Commonwealth Games

                                                                 Kampala

 Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) will use next month’s National Open to pick pugilists to represent the country at the Commonwealth Games.

Due to administrative wrangles, Uganda had no boxers at the previous Commonwealth Games held four years ago in New Delhi, India.

But the newly-elected UBF executive, led by Kenneth Gimugu, has promised to help the Bombers return to the big stage.

“The World Junior Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria in April will be our first high profile international test,” Gimugu told Daily Monitor.
Team Uganda’s chef-de-mission to the Commonwealth Games due July 23- August 3 in Glasgow, Scotland, Ambrose Tashobya confirmed UBF would be allocated five slots. “We expect the federation to do their part as we also try to look for money to facilitate the athletes for the Games,” Tashobya, who is also the Uganda Olympic Committee vice-president (administration), said. In total, the country will have 64 athletes and 24 officials at the event.

Athletics will dominate the contingent with 19 runners and four officials. Rugby has 12 players and three officials while badminton and table tennis have four each.

Swimming, shooting, cycling and weightlifting have three each while Paralympics has five slots. This will be Uganda’s biggest boxing representation at a big event since 2008 when only one pugilist - Ronald Serugo - competed at the Beijing Olympics. Despite the recent troubles, boxing remains Uganda’s most successful sport and Glasgow will present the Bombers a chance to rise and shine again.

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