Female boxer Erina Namutebi has switched from lightwelter (63kgs) to light weight (60kgs) weight class ahead of the 13th edition of African Games boxing action that starts this Thursday in Accra, Ghana.
The UPDF boxer had earlier registered for light welterweight, but due to the hot temperatures, she lost about four kilos on arrival in Ghana and thus switched to light weight as Uganda confirmed during the sport entry.
The African silver medalist, however, is not moved.
“It is hot in Ghana, and one sweats a lot. I lost some kilos. Coaches advised me to switch since there would be no time to make the initial weight. I am still ready to rumble,” noted Namutebi.
The UPDF boxer, alongside Sharua Ndagire, are the female boxers on the team with the duo banking on the experience attained from last year’s Africa boxing champions.
The team is under Olympian Coach Patrick Lihanda and Juma Nsubuga.
“We train in the wee hours because it is hot. We also lessened the training time because we want to ensure the boxers keep in the right weight. They are ready and looking forward to action,” noted Nsubuga after Wednesday morning training.
Captain Muzamir Ssemuddu is confident that they will deliver. “We are set, and our eyes are on the prize,” he noted.
The team also includes stylish Owen Kibira and youngster Khassim Murungi, who featured in Commonwealth Games and African boxing championship, respectively, as well as prospective debutants Innocent Amoko and Innocent Tumusiime.
Uganda won 10 medals from the 2019 edition, and boxing contributed two silver and one Bronze medal.
