The National Boxing trials for the first edition of the East Africa Community Games slated for next month in Burundi saw 10 males and four females qualifying for the event.

 

Prior to the trials, 68 pugilists were shortlisted to start training and they were later trimmed to 14 who resumed residential training on Wednesday at Lugogo.

 

The 2018 Commonwealth bronze medalist Juma Miiro (fly) and Musa Shadir (welter) failed to make a cut to the East after losing their trial bouts over the weekend.

 

Miiro and Shadir were looked at as the first potential pugilists to qualify but to the boxing fraternity’s surprise, none of the two won the qualifiers.

 

However, David Ssemujju who eliminated Shadir promised to inspire more young stars and also win more medals for Uganda and world titles after.

 

“I have always believed that am better and today everyone has witnessed how good I am, but I would like to promise that I will do more for the country and encourage more boxers, I want to be a role model to the young boxers,” said Ssemujju.

 

Champion Busingye (light fly), Ronald Gayita (fly), Isaac Masembe (bantum), Yasin Adinan (light), Joshua Nyanzi (light welter), David Ssemujju (welter), Ivan Magumba (middle), John Owino (light heavy), Shafik Kiwanuka (heavy), Solomon Ggeko (super heavy), Moreen Adyambo (fly), Lora Ainebyona (light welter), Emilly Nakalema (welter) and Amina Musa (bantam) are the 14 pugilists that started residential training Thursday at Lugogo.

 

The Games will take the form of all East Africa Games and will include multiple sports disciplines including: Athletics, Football, Handball, Basketball, Netball, Volleyball, Tennis, Rugby, Judo, Karate, Boxing and Taekwondo to be competed among the six Partner States that form the East African Community under the theme Fostering EAC Integration and Peace through Sports.

 

National Boxing Trials

 

Selected results:

 

MEN

 

Bantamweight

Isaac Masembe bt Marvin Ssali 3-0

 

Lightweight

Yasin Adinan bt Waswa Ssali 2-1

 

Welterweight

David Ssemujju bt Musa Shadir 3-0

 

Super heavyweight

Solomon Ggeko bt Adam Nsereko 3-0

 

WOMEN

 

Flyweight

Moreen Adyambo bt Mariamu Nakiberu 3-0

 

Welterweight

Emily Nakalema bt Lydia Nantale 3-0