By Silvano Kibuuka.
The International Boxing Association (IBA) President Umar Kremlev from Russia could not reserve his ambitions of promoting boxing on the African continent when he came to Uganda for the ground breaking on the land earmarked to be home of boxing on the continent.Kremlev also had to bury the sentiments with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to come to Uganda on a rush visit that lasted for 15 hours.Mr Kremlev and the hosts, Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) managed to compress the program to make sure the visit was purposeful.His visit was not only limited to the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of a state-of-the-art boxing academy but also expanding boxing to the locality and the region.He believes Uganda can be the heart of boxing on the African continent.He also believes that boxing in Africa can excel to higher heights especially looking at the history that many of the prominent boxers in the world like Mohammed Ali, Mike Tyson, Frank Bruno and many others have an African background.Kremlev who was communicating through an interpreter made the ground breaking visit at Gombe Buganda subcounty headquarters as he launched the land to build a state-of-the-art boxing academy that IBA has donated to Uganda and Africa in general. This was after the Buganda Government which is a monarchy orient donated a 10-acre land for the project located 30 km north of Kampala along Bombo Road.Launching the land has been a big milestone to boxing in Uganda, Africa and the Buganda government according to Kremlev.IBA was fulfilling its pledge of 2021 where they pledged to build USD 5M state of the art boxing academy in Uganda.Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) president Moses Muhangi has expressed joy that after the success of acquiring the land from Buganda government.“We asked for land both from the central government and Buganda government and they have been all sourcing. I am happy that the promised project can now take place. This is not my project but shall be used by even those not yet born. The academy shall also be a big income attraction to the country if we host international tournaments. I thank the Buganda government for bailing out boxing and promoting sports in the country,” noted jubilant Muhangi at the launch in Gombe.Details of the actual construction are yet to be pronounced. The boxing academy will be adjacent to another 12 acres of land that the same Gombe subcounty has donated for the construction of a sports arena for the Kyadondo subcounty that shall cater for football and athletics.The artistic impression of the complex shows facilities including a swimming pool, an executive business hotel, a conference hall, athletes’ accommodation, a training and competition hall, administration offices a competition arena, a sports shopping complex, a public gym and fitness center, a medical wing and others The residents and area administrators in Gombe, a division III administrative area in Nansana Municipality in Wakiso district have hailed the care takers to keep the Kabaka land intact and now to benefit the whole country.After launching the land, Kremlev headed to Parliament to meet the Speaker and visited the Kingdom of Buganda at Mengo for deeper discussions.The ceremony was graced by the Africa Boxing Confederation (ABC) President Bertrand Mendouga and the assistant, Azania Omo – Agege, the head of boxing in Kenya, Anthony Otieno Ombok with local leaders including Kaggo of Kyadondo Ronald Bakulumpagi, Gombe Division LC III chairman Ronald Kasiriivu, Gombe Subcounty chief, Eric Serugo and several local leaders, boxing coaches and children boxers.The local leaders have asked the project organizers to avail jobs to the local individuals and construction companies.They also urged the youths to be positive to the project and evade from vandalizing the property especially during construction. Kremlev Meets the Government and Buganda Hierarchy.Before the ground breaking ceremony, the IBA president and his entourage met the government officials at Serena hotel.This included the minister of state for sports Peter Ogwang and the chairman of the National Council of Sports Ambrose Tashobya among others.“We are happy that IBA is bringing such a big development to Uganda where our athletes shall have the opportunity to excel,” noted the minister Ogwang.Before departure, the IBA president had a meeting with members of the Buganda government headed by the premier Charles Mayiga.Kremlev promised a quick response to developing the project by 2023 but did not exactly give details.The Buganda premier Mayiga also welcomed the investors and asked them to live to the talk. ■
