Ugandan Boxers, Jonah Kyobe and Yusuf Nkobeza are all smiles after International Boxing Association (IBA) delivered on promise.
Kyobe and Nkobeza received $25,000 each for their triumph at the 2022 African Boxing Confederation (AFBC) that was held September 12th-18th 2022 in Maputo Mozambique.
Nkobeza (Middleweight) and Kyobe (Feather Weight) all won bronze medals at the games. Gold medalists at the the 2022 AFBC were entitled to $10,000, silver medalists $5,000, and bronze medalists across all weight categories $2,500.
“This is a push factor to my career. I will not rest, I will train everyday as I continue to win medals for my country, possibly before I turn professional in the future”. Nkobeza said.
Handing over the prize monies, Uganda Boxing Federation President, Moses Muhangi was all praise for the boxers but also cautious of how they should use the money.
“We hope they can use the money the right way in order to inspire other boxers”. Said Muhangi
The UBF President also added each of the two boxers $270 in fulfillment of a pledge he made to all Ugandan boxers last year.
Muhangi saluted the boxers, their coaches, fans, the Africa Boxing Confederation (ABC) and the International Amateur Boxing body led by President Umar Kremlev.
“I want to task IBA to extend the reward system to coaches and Federations too”. Muhangi stated.
In the past top Ugandan boxers have had nothing other than the medal to show for their time in the ring.
On the same day, Light flyweight Teddy Nakimuli also walked away with $270 from Moses Muhangi for winning bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The vocal sports Administrator also took swipe at Government of Uganda over inadequate funding of Boxing.
“Boxing in this country is a resource center, for every international event we go for, we have always returned with a medal, I therefore implore the government to consider supporting Federations that have value on return”. Muhangi stated.
The Uganda women’s boxing team is set to miss the IBA Women’s World Championships in New Delhi, India from 15-31 March 2023 due to lack of funds.
