Sports Minister Peter Ogwang (centre) addressing the ABU Convention at Hotel Africana, on his (right) is WBC vice president Houcine Houichi as UPBC treasurer. Photo by Fred Kisekka
Ogwang also urged the body to work hand in hand with Africa's open boxing bodies while nurturing talents.
August 18-23, Hotel Africana.
State minister for Sports Peter Ogwang has challenged the Africa Boxing Union (ABU) to come up with drastic measures that will revive African boxing.
Ogwand said this while officially opening this year’s five-day ABU Convention that climaxes on August 23 in Kampala.
“I’m here on behalf of Mama Janet, the Minister for Education and Sports. My message to you is to come up with immediate measures to help African boxing rise like it used before,” Ogwang noted.
“As hosts, we still have some rifts between the professional ranks and open boxing (amateur) that I think has contributed much to Uganda’s boxing decline. But we are going to tackle them after your Convention.”
Ogwang also urged the body to work hand in hand with Africa’s open boxing bodies while nurturing talents.
“Recently, I was at the Paris Olympic games and felt half a man without seeing any of our boxers who qualified. The gap between you and amateur boxing must be filled for the sport to benefit.” he said.
