Team Uganda successfully returned home from Egypt after putting out a top tier performance at the 2021 World Kickboxing Championships at the Cairo Sports Stadium.
The Ugandan team was captained by Patricia Apolot known as the “black pearl” a student of Nkumba University who won ten medals, three of which were gold, five silver and two bronze in different categories of Muai Thai, Low kick, Mixed Martial Arts(MMA), kick light and full contact. Apolot also gave a briefing about her journey of kickboxing. She acknowledged great training.
According to World Kickboxing Federation rankings “Black pearl” is dubbed number one in East Africa. She is coached by Ronald Odoch and Uganda was among the 24 countries which featured at the Championships alongside world class countries like France and Argentina.
The team was made up of eleven people; nine juniors and two officials. The triumphant team arrived at Entebbe International Airport on Monday afternoon in two different batches i.e one aboard the Egypt Airlines and another aboard the Ethiopian Airlines.
Josephine Twani also secured Bronze and Silver, Onyait Edith Silver, Juma Jantuyo Bronze, Kazimba Awarded Gold, Rebecca Israel Amongi Gold and Silver, Savannah Rain Carruthers Silver and Angelo Paul Gold.
They were received by Uganda Kickboxing Federation president Patrick Luyonza, Chief Executive Officer Larry Mwebesa, Lieutnant General Peter Elweru plus family and a few close friends. They were later hosted in the VIP press lounge at the airport.
In his congratulatory remarks, Luyonza noted that Uganda hit way above their weight given all the hiccups faced in the course of the event and predicted limelight as the federation shifts focus on ushering in a new executive during the elective AGM on the 27th of November.
From Entebbe, they were driven in a special motorcade with open roofed vehicles which were accompanied by two Military Police lead cars and were taken to Kati Kati Restaurant in Lugogo where they were hosted to a luncheon by the Kampala Central Division mayor Salim Uhuru, who is also the President of Uganda Professional Boxing Commission (UPBC).
Mr. Uhuru mentioned how excited he was and very much honored to see the how the kickboxing team had made Uganda proud. He continued in his remarks to call upon the government to help the athletes and support the sports of this country.
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