Umar Kremlev holds talks with Sports leaders, lays foundation for Boxing academy in Matugga
The President of the International Boxing Association (I.B.A) Umar Kremlev on Thursday morning arrived in Uganda for a one-day visit that involved a groundbreaking ceremony for a boxing academy that will be set up to foster the development of Boxing in the country.
He landed in Uganda aboard a private jet at the Entebbe International Airport and was led to Serena Hotel in Kampala, where he talked to different leaders in the sports sector before journeying to Matugga for a groundbreaking ceremony.
This stands to be Kremlev’s maiden visit to Uganda and also goes down as the first time Uganda is hosting the leadership of the World Boxing body.
In his speech to the officials from the National Sports sector, Umar said that his visit to Uganda has been long overdue, having been to different parts of the continent, with the most recent being Kenya and Morocco.
“To be honest I am happy to be here in Uganda, because the gods led me here…” Kremlev started.
“The Kenyan boxing President has not yet allocated us land to build an academy, so I think the our gods want the academy to be built in Uganda.”
He also commended the Uganda Boxing Association for the efforts put in to organize his visit and pledged to have the Boxing Academy in Matugga Nansana Municipality completed by the next year 2023.
“I can see how much Uganda has prepared for this, and thank you all for your effort. I am sure by next year the academy will be fully opened.”
Kremlev informed the Ugandan entourage that Africa harbors the roots of boxing with big names coming from the continent and IBA will continue to build its cooperation with African nations in the development of the sport.
“Africa is a special continent, and Uganda is a special country as you can see African children glorify boxing all over the world. Because of Africa we have popular boxing talents like Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali among others.” He said.
Adding on that, “Laying the stone for this academy will give an opportunity to the African children to come here and train to participate in various international tournaments.”
The Host President Moses Muhangi on his part thanked his Russian counterpart for honoring the invitation, describing the visit as an opportunity for the guest to learn more about the pearl of Africa.
“It shows how much faith IBA have in our country and how much value they see in the federation. The facility will help us in many ways, for example we will be able to host many international events here which will benefit the country in many ways,” Muhangi said.
Kremlev was in the company of leaders of boxing from the continent and these included President of the Africa Boxing Confederation Bertrand Mendouga, his Vice Azamia Omo Agege, Kenya boxing president, and 16 other administrators from the world boxing association.
The Ugandan officials present were; The State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang, Boxing Patron Captain Mike Mukula, National Council of Sports Chairman Ambrose Tashobya, and Assistant General Secretary David Katende among others.
The leaders later witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony of the Boxing Academy to be constructed on ten acres in Matugga that will further bolster the growth of boxing talent in Uganda and Africa.
