KAMPALA, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The Chairman of the Uganda Boxing Federation, Moses Muhangi has said that the boxers who vanished at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games will be banned.
"This is a very serious matter because if they disappear we have told them it will be the end of them in boxing. We shall inform the world boxing body AIBA to block such boxers from participating in other countries or even joining the professional ranks," Muhangi told Xinhua in an interview on Monday.
Last year, three Ugandan Boxers vanished in Germany after the World Championships, while two rugby players also disappeared during a 7s tournament in Munich.
But Muhangi explained that although all Team Uganda athletes signed codes of conduct issued by the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC), the boxing body also made it very clear to their five boxers on the team that vanishing should not cross their minds because that will be the end of their association with the sport.
"These boxers are still young and have the chance of going professional but after following the proper procedure. We would never block any boxers from going to try his luck in Europe or any other continent, but proper procedure should be followed because it improves the image of the country and opens more opportunities for other up-coming boxers," added Muhangi.
In the past, other Ugandan boxers have disappeared after international events like the Olympics. The five boxers on Uganda's team for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games include: Musa Bwogi, Juma Miiro, David Semujju, Regan Simbwa and Nasir Bashir.
Besides Boxing, Uganda will also field athletes in rugby, netball, cycling, squash, badminton, table tennis, swimming, field and track events, shooting and weightlifting. At the 2014 Commonwealth Games Kipsiro won gold in the 10,000m, while Abraham Kiplimo and Winnie Nanyondo won bronze in the marathon and women's 800m respectively. Enditem
