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Uganda: Bombers Chase Beijing Carrot Via Namibia
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The Weekly Observer (Kampala)
27 March 2008
Posted to the web 27 March 2008
David Lumu
The national boxing team got a rude awakening last October in Chicago, when they thrice in two days contrived to deny themselves the chance to qualify for the Olympics.
At the World Boxing Championships, The Bombers appeared to have a glimpse of Beijing before team captain Shariff Bogere together with Eddie Akora and Phillip Adyak vanished from camp just minutes before stepping in the ring.
Ismail Muwendo's second-round loss to Mexican Arturo Santos eliminated the last line of hope. While Santos went on to book an Olympic berth, Muwendo stayed in the US to polish his skills with his American coach Scott Tolzmann.
Today, the featherweight is one of the highest rated amateurs Uganda has had in years, a boxer who went into the last Olympic qualifier in Namibia with lots of fury and why wouldn't he? He's been carrying enough ire around for months since that second-round stoppage.
Muwendo seldom speaks of the four months he's spent in Chicago but his story has been told enough by local boxing supremo Roger Ddungu who thinks highly of the youngster.
But just like his Bombers skipper Ronald Sserugo (Light fly), Edward Kakembo (Fly), Aldina Muzei (Bantam) and Medi Lubega (Light welter); anything apart from Olympic qualification will be disaster. The team, comprised of boxers from the lighter weights, was trimmed to five due to lack of funds.
It's also argued that Uganda's poor performance in the bigger weights was the reason behind the dropping of seasoned boxers such as welterweight Michael Obin and light middleweight Matia Kulabako among others.
In his first week after taking over as national coach, Rodolfo Gonzalez spoke of changing the apprehensive attitude of The Bombers, he was also disappointed with their rock-bottom low scoring but he was a content man when asked if the pugilists heeded his tactics. "I'm satisfied with what I've done so far," he said. "I expect my boys to face tough fighters but I'm hopeful they will qualify."
To qualify, each of the Bombers has to reach the final. Losing semifinalists will tussle it out for the third and final place for each weight division.
The atmosphere shows it won't be a smooth ride for the quintet since they arrived on March 23 - the very day the qualifiers started. The tournament ends April 2.
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The mere fact they were also the last country to arrive in Namibia doesn't bode well but Namibia's being just one hour ahead of Uganda may not severely affect their acclimatization.
On the other hand, there are around 200 other wounded souls from 23 countries in Windhoek. Already Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and hosts Namibia are fielding teams of 10.
So, when Muwendo and Co. take to the ring, they hope to not only consume opponents but also inspire a sceptical following back home.
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