Uganda Boxing Federation has confirmed that non-contracted pugilists will also take part in the inaugural Boxing Champions League that got underway on Saturday, December 4 at Indoor Arena in Lugogo.
This follows weeks of back and forth amongst the Boxers, Federation and other stakeholders.
All Boxers who qualified through from the National Trials were required to sign Contracts in order to take part in the Boxing Champions League.
However, Some Boxers protested the developments including the three Tokyo Olympians Shadir Musa Bwogi, Catherine Nanziri and David Ssemujju.
Juma Miiro, Isaac Masembe, Mathias Kyeyune, Emmanuel Odokonyero, Habib Mambo, Shakira Nantongo, Sharlom Nabukenya, Rosette Nakigudde Mirembe, Jesca Nakiridde Deborah, Latifah Nakaweesi, Uthman Aisha, Stanley Mugerwa, Joshua Male and Isaac Ssebuufu are the other boxers.
These Boxers expressed their discontent with some of the clauses in the Contracts in terms of Commercial Value, Longevity among others.
They went on to petition Uganda Olympic Committee and National Council of Sports to intervene into their matter, and later wrote to UBF.
The Uganda Professional Boxing Commission this week also petitioned Government over the sanction of the UBF.
After matters escalated, a meeting was held on Friday night chaired by State Minister for Sports Hon Hamson Obua attended by UBF President Moses Muhangi, UPBC President Salim Uhuru and NCS officials and an agreement was reached.
“For the good of Boxing, we have decided to extend an Olive branch to the said Boxers and we shall therefore include them in the matches of the Champions League,” reads a letter from UBF President Moses Muhangi.
“The Technical Committee will make the necessary preparations and inform the Boxers when their games will be due.
“We have already written to the Boxers and requested them to attend a meeting with the UBF Executive next week on Wednesday. The said meeting will be used to explain more to the Boxers the issues around the Champions League.”
Despite being allowed to take part in the competition, the Federation will not use their names, images and other rights because they refused to sign the contracts.
Muhangi adds: “UBF will also not be in position to extend any 3rd party benefits to the said Boxers due to absence of any contractual obligations or commitments over the same.”
“The Boxers will however be able to benefit from any support, facilitation or other assistance advanced to UBF by other partners such us NCS and UOC.”
The Much awaited competition boxed off on Saturday, December 4 and will return after a week break on December 18.
Eight of 10 scheduled fights were held on Saturday, with the other two rescheduled to a later date.
Hassan Habibi (Adnan Yassin’s opponent) and Siriro Pius (Edward Kimera’s opponent) never showed up due to sickness.
Week One Results
*Kalema Joseph beat Gilbert Lumbuye
*Ochan Godfrey beat Stuart Ssenoga
*Fulje Mugerwa beat Patrick Kasozi
*Jona Kyone beat Marvin Ssali
*Owen Kibira beat Umar Nvule
*Richard Kasujja beat Muzamir Ssemuddu
*Ronald Okello beat Rashid Yiga
*Lawrence Kayiwa beat Lubega Medi
