The long awaited DRT team returns to
action reloaded in this year’s Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally on Friday and Saturday
in Busiika and Kayunga respectively.
Whereas rumours that DRT president Andrew
Desh Kananura will return in action as a route opener are yet to be proved, the
story of Ambrose Byona aka Omunyeeto return is a reality.
The doubts that the jolliest and
interactive rally driver in the country may not return to action are no more. His Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 10 has
left Ranjit Kuku’s Garage and is at
Panamera for fine tuning.
“We are ready and it is going to be
fireworks,” said Omunyeeto.
“We are not driving under any pressure,
because we are coming to enjoy and not to win, but we shall be party spoilers
for some of the title contender,” the vocal driver stressed.
As he heads for reccing with his navigator Derrick Lubambula, the Evo10 will go for scrutineering at shell Bugolobi.
Byona returns under a new flagship of Optima Mines and Minerals, Kabango Coffee, Jack Pemba and Byona Executives.
The four stages including Kitwe section 19.9km, Shiekha Mehta
(22.35km), Lwasa stage (24.8km) and Adel Stage (29.13km) will be enough for
rally driver john Burrows to prove to the big boys that is a threat to them in
the Shell V-Power Pearl of Uganda Rally.
They will later repeat them in the afternoon to tally the event’s
competitive distance of 192.36kms.
Burrows disclosed this after upgrading from a Subaru N8 to a more
powerful Subaru Impreza N14, rally driver John Burrows Lumu feels his time has
come.
He has competed in the Shell V-power Pearl of rally six times and finished
the event four times and dropped out twice. His best position ever is ninth in the
2012 edition
“The car has enough power boosts and I’m going to push for the top
five positions in this event,” Burrows told New Vision while showing his new
machine.
John Burrows standing on his new Subaru N14. Virgin Images
The Shell V-Power Pearl of Uganda Rally gets underway on Friday
with a super Special Stage in Busiika Luwero district and end on
Saturday in Kayunga district.
The toughest and most competitive event on the Federation of
Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) calendar is the fourth round of the National
rally championship and also the fifth round of the Africa Rally Championship
(ARC).
Navigated by AN Dungu, Burrows has got a solid opposition from
local crews including, Ronald Ssebuguzi, Arthur Blick jr, Ponsiano Lwakataka,
Jas Mangat, Dr. Ashraf Ahmed and Duncan Mubiru.
Uganda
Boxing Federation (UBF) is determined to build capacity for the growth of the
sport in the country.
Muhangi
disclosed this in lugogo on Monday morning while launching the National Novices
boxing championship that start on Thursday August 1-8 ,2019 in Kamwokya at Kira
Road Police station ground.
Uganda Boxing Federation President Moses Muhangi (C) address the media as Beton ambassador Fiona Namiiro (L) and Olive Mugabe of Black Excellency Marketing Agency (R) look on at the launch of the national Novices in Lugogo. PHOTO BY JOHNSON WERE
“We are
training referee judges and we want to see that we have the capacity to
organise events around the country at ago,” Muhangi stated after receiving boxing
equipment worth sh45m from Beton Uganda at Lugogo on Monday morning July 29,2019.
He also
explained that Lugogo Indoor Arena is becoming too small for the growing boxing
family and that is why they have decided to take the sport to open grounds like
Kamwokya.
“Boxing
is a sport for the Ghetto people and we are going to give back to them by
taking the sport near them,” Muhangi noted.
UBF President Moses Muhangi Centre with coaches Zebra Ssenyange( R) and Musa Batantu (L). Coutersy Virgin Images
He added
that UBF will also be training Aiba star one referee judges who will do
theories and practical during the National Novices.
“We
started with Bwaise, went to Katwe and now we are in Kamwokya. We shall be
heading soon to Gulu and other areas of the country,” he added.
He
received Body guards, gloves, head gears and punch pads which will be given as
prizes to the different winners in the different categories.
Congolese Heavy weight boxer Tyson Mbikayi had size but was not strong
enough to last even a minute against Uganda’s Shafik Kiwanuka (The Killing Machine).
Kiwanuka knocked down Mbikayi at Lugogo Arena in 35 seconds to send his
fans in wild jubilation.
Kiwanuka with his promoter Sam Buchanan after knocking down congolese Tyson Mbikayi. Virgin Images
“I have long journey in my professional career, so I have to knock them
down quickly so that I achieve my target earlier,” Kiwanuka stated.
His coach Abdu Tebazalwa said that the fans may need to enjoy their
money but that is boxing, because the earlier you kill off the opponent the
better for you.
Fans supporting.
In the undercard bouts Latib Muwonge beat Sadam Mukasa, Sgt Alidna Muzei
of UPDF beat Ben Sajjabi of Police, while Joseph Mpungu and Roderick Okot drew.
Uganda Boxing Federation President Moses Muhangi (L) with Zebra ssenyange right durimng the fight. Muhangi is planning big for boxing. Virgin Images
The fight was attended by high profile guests including Major General
Sabiiti Mutebile, artist Ragga Dee and Uganda Boxing Federation president Moses
Muhangi.
It is going to an
exhausting fixture today as on Uganda take on Zimbabwe sables in the edition of
the Victoria Rugby Cup at Legends Rugby Ground.
And team skipper Asuman Mugerwa
has urged his boys to be absorbed during the game to be able to win.
History favours the
visitors, but the Rugby Cranes are aware of the consequences of losing today’s game
and will be out for a win.
Uganda’s Marshal Tcumcam hands off Zimbabwe player durimng the previous game.
“We had a few mistakes in our game against Kenya,
but I urge the boys to stay composed and steadfast if we are to a win,” Mugerwa
said.
The two sides have met 15
times in the 15s version of the sport, but the hosts have won only five.
Last year Zimbabwe
humiliated Uganda with a 38-18 win and Robert Seguya’ charges will be out to a
revenge that.
A win for the Rugby Cranes
will rejuvenate the team’s hopes of fighting for the title contested by four
countries including Kenya and Zambia while a loss will mean the opposite.
Team Uganda during the national athem
“We are putting aside the
past results. Those were just bad days in business and we are ready for the
challenge of us,” Seguya said.
Uganda has a win and a loss
against Kenya in the first two games that doubled as the Elgon Cup.
The sables are always a
physical side and Seguya’s must be in position to counter that before
offloading the balls to the backs that has Philip Wokorach, Adrian Kasito and
Pius Ogena who are averagely fast
players.
With two skilled kickers Aaron
Ofwoyrwoth and flyhalf Ivan Magomu on pitch, the team should go for points at
any opportunity got.
Rugby fans cheering the team during the previous event. PHOTO BY Kinthan images.
Meanwhile coming off a convincing
39-10 victory over Zambia in their opening match, the Sables are looking to
keep their momentum.
Coach Brendon Dawson’s boys’
victory came at cost of experienced player Brendon Mandivenga who was injured,
but the presence of team skipper Hilton Mudariki assistant Jan Ferreira gives
coach confidence.
The Rugby Cranes is
sponsored Nile Special, Pepsi and Stanbic bank.
Kylan Wekesa put up an exceptional performance during the six round of the Kenya Motorcross championship at Jamhuri track.
Kylan, who was a guest rider, made work hard for his closest competitor Alex Kandie winning all the three heats on the day in his 85 CC category.
Amos Wekesa, dad to the youngster, says he was so happy to see Kylan ride with caution and determination.
” He was outstanding on the track. He made right decisions at the right time and also made his competitors work hard while chasing.
It’s not easy winning at the Jamhuri track but he held his nerves in those three heats to finish top” added Amos.
Miguel Katende and Jonathan Katende also won their 50 CC and Peewee heats respectively.
George Semakula, father to the brothers, says he’s boys will be banking on this experience for a better outing while in Zimbabwe next month.
“I know we are getting closer to the Africa Nations Championship in Zimbabwe and this is a good preparation for us.
Boys are focused and all left is to ensure they carry this display to Zimbabwe” added Semakula.
Zion Wekesa could only manage finishing 10th in the peewee class.
The riders including Wekesa, Zion Wekesa, Miguel and Jonathan sponsored by Uganda lodges are currently in Naivasha undergoing training conducted by Jurgen Kuppers a German trainer based in Kenya.
Uganda motocross management team today Sunday July21
confirmed a 34-member squad to represent Uganda in the FIM Motocross of Africa
Nations in Zimbabwe this year.
The tournament to take place on August 31 to September1,
2019 will have all the cream riders in the continent show case what they have
got.
South Africa, Zambia, Botswana and hosts Zimbabwe will be
the teams to beat if Uganda is to lift the trophy this year.
Wazir Omar during training at Busiika. PHOTO BY Virgin Images
However, the national motocross boss Barak Orland is
worried that they may be forced to take a half team if government does not
rescue them with sh192m needed for the registration, transport and
accommodation of the team.
Deputy team captain Asaf Natan explained that they expect to field
five riders in each class including MX50, Veterans and 65cc, seven in MX125cc,
three in MX2, ten in MX10, three in the ladies and one in the MX1 class.
