KENYA, UGANDA RENEW RIVALRY TODAY IN KAMPALA
The age-old boxing rivalry between Kenya and Uganda will be renewed today when Nakawa Combined team host Nairobi County in an international friendly match at the Katale Primary School play ground from 2pm.
For decades, the two East African countries, once among the world’s superpowers in the ring, engaged in fierce combat during the defunct Millington Drake Trophy contest later renamed Brunner/Utafiki Trophy and then Urafiki Cup.
Any match between Ugandan and Kenyan boxers was packed to capacity as fans enjoyed watching top-notch boxing in the two-leg inter-country duel often marred by biased officiating that at one time there was a suggestion to involve neutral referees and judges.
Uganda’s African Games featherweight bronze medallist Kassim Murungi (right) has a mountain to climb against Kenya’s stubborn Chris Juma in one of the highlights.
This rivalry of yesteryears will be rekindied in today’s eagerly awaited match that has all the trappings of a thriller with a new generation of boxers now in the driver’s seat.
Topping the bill is the featherweight bout pitting African Games bronze medallist Kassim Murungi and Kenya’s sensational Chris Juma and the middleweight encounter between Uganda’s ruthless body puncher Ojok Alfred and Lenox Francis.
Among other Africa’s Emerging Stars in the Nairobi team include welterweight Joshua Clive, bantamweight Faith Sabatia, light-middleweight Michael Oduor and heavyweight Glen Agade.
And in Nakawa Combined besides Kassim Murungi, Ojok Alfred and 2020 Africa Olympic qualifiers semi-finalist Emily Nakalema, there’s minimumweight Kato Kazibwe, lightweight Alfazi Amvaziira, welterweight Onen Jaffar and light-middleweight Mawanda Depark.
It’s to be hoped the Ugandan R&Js will conduct themselves professionally to maintain their integrity to the outside world. Let justice and fairplay prevail in the ring.
