Captain Mike Mukula has urged Government to increase Funding for Boxing after it’s success at the concluded 2023 AFBC African Boxing Championships.
Mukula made the remarks during a Bombers victory dinner he held at his home to celebrate the success of the team in Yaounde where Uganda won seven medals.
And with Uganda Boxing Federation President Moses Muhangi confirming that they haven’t received a single coin just weeks to the Olympics qualifiers next month, Mukula’s remarks couldn’t have come at a better time.
“I am glad to have you here, especially with these medals. I take this opportunity to commend Uganda Boxing Federation for, through Sports, uniting the youths especially from the Ghetto,” said Mukula who is also the Patron of UBF.
“Boxing, alongside Athletics and Netball, has continued to proved that Uganda has talent and potential.
“We will write the letter to the President to help the team so that they start early preparations for Paris Olympics.”
Two boxers – Erina Namutebi and Wasswa Ssali – won silver while five – Ronald Okello, Matovu Ukasha, Solomon Geko Kozaala, Grace Nankinga and Emily Nakalema settled for bronze.
The two silver medalists won 10,000$ each (Sh35m) while each bronze medalist will be given Sh17m by the Africa Boxing body.
Mukula who doubles as the NRM vice-chairperson for Eastern Uganda, added: “That is a huge revenue stream for the Country and it sends a strong signal that now rewards are that exciting, the Country is performing exceedingly very well, it is important that we put in more money into this investment which brings in returns and capitalizes the ability of the Young People especially those from the Ghetto to be able to work hard.
“Money has been put into the High Altitude centre, and we want Government to do the same with Boxing. Boxing should get more equipment, facilities and enough rings too. One ring is 30,000 dollars but it can do more changes in terms of development of Sports in the Country.
“We shall talk with the First Lady, the Speaker, Minister Ogwang that there is should be an increment in the Budget for Boxing because they have shown that they have the potential.”
Boxing had an unexplained budget cut to Sh300m this year, a decline from Sh3bn they received from the last Financial year.
“The demographics reflect that Uganda is a young nation in the World with 80% of the population being below the age of 30, they have talent, energy and creativity; and can be impactful to this economy if they are lined to the right areas of developing their talent and capacity. If we develop the facilities, if we build the right infrastructures, I want to assure you that we will reach where we want to be.
“We need to invest where the talent is especially with the young people, if we don’t do this, then we will have a lost generation and we will be left with a powdered cake, meaning that we will be left with a population that is desperate and that is yearning for opportunities and in Governance you will be developing a very difficult scenario especially the Ghetto kids.
“My advice is for my colleagues to smell the coffee, the future is with the young people and let’s put money where the interest is, and that is in Sports and talent. We need to put in more money where the youths aspire to be.”
Mukiula thanked the Government for renovation of Namboole and Ham at Nakivubo but said that these facilities should also accommodate other disciplines like Basketball, Boxing among others.
He added that these facilities should be spread across districts and Cities so that the Youths bring in more money in the Economy.
