The African Boxing Union convention and ring officials’ seminar commenced yesterday at Hotel Africana in Kampala.
Focus is on strengthening key elements of professional boxing across the continent including doping regulations, contractual obligations and skilling boxing agents, managers, promoters and ring officials as the African Boxing Union convention and ring officials’ seminar got underway.
The opening day featured over 50 delegates from across the continent with the State Minister for Sports Hon. Peter Ogwang and Africa Professional Boxing Association president Houcine Houchi presiding over the event.
In his remarks, Ogwang challenged the boxing regulators to aim for increased representation at top competitions.
“Boxing is a priority sport in Uganda and we need to have the mantle to sort out our challenges. We did not have a boxer at this year’s Olympics and these are internal problems we need to work on,” Ogwang noted.
In a bid to ensure sustained development of the sport, the five-day training will run until Friday while equipping stakeholders with crucial skills.
Africa Professional Boxing Association president Houcine Houchi called for increased efforts from stakeholders to hold more fights on the continent to boost the sport.
“ABU is active on the continent but we need more top-class championships for the future of our boxers. It’s our duty to build the records of our talents in order to ensure they achieve their dreams like John “The Beast” Mugabi, Justin Jjuuko, Godfrey Nyakana and now the rising boxer Sulaiman Segawa,” he noted.
The Africa Boxing Union will hold ring officials’ training today as part of skilling efforts to build capacity.
