A local Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) had unveiled a project to revive Uganda's boxing, local media reported Wednesday.

Home Again, the NGO which was better known for housing and educating street children, was in the process of opening modern boxing gyms and hostels in Arua, Gulu and Namasuba.

"We shall construct a big gym and hostel, where displaced children will after training be sleeping," said Home Again director David Kyambadde, a former boxer, who was also involved with a promotion company Big Strikers International.

Each gymnasium would have coaches and trainers fully catered for by the NGO. Kyambadde claimed that no payment would be charged from anybody for using the gym.

"Most children in Gulu are traumatised. Sports is one of those things that can give them a sense of relief. You should also realize that one of the reasons for boxing's decline in Uganda is concentration on Kampala talent," he said.

Kyambadde said the project funded by donors of the U.S. would start in Gulu. "We shall make an initial injection of 50,000 U.S. dollars into the project," he said, adding that he would provide 6, 200 dollars boxing equipment and more in the future.

Uganda's golden years in boxing were characterized by gyms in upcountry centers like Kilembe, Jinja and Hima. But they ceased operating after the collapse of parastatals to which they were attached. The Kilembe Mines Boxing Center, which produced Olympic medalists Leo Rwabwogo and the late Eridad Mukwanga was long gone with others now.

Source: Xinhua