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"Yes, it's (participation) still not certain because we haven't received the money yet," confirmed Boxing boss, Moses Muhangi in an interview with Pulse Sports Uganda.
While Uganda is still not sure of forming a part in the 2023 African Boxing Championships, the total prize monies have shot up from the previous editions.
At the event slated for July 25, in Yaounde, Cameroon, Ugandan boxers could miss out as the federation goes through a spell of financial constraints.
"Yes, it's (participation) still not certain because we haven't received the money yet," confirmed Boxing boss, Moses Muhangi in an interview with Pulse Sports Uganda.
"But, we hope and want to participate as long as we get the funds to help us prepare for the games," he added as he offered a bit of relief.
"It was harder initially as the games were to be played in June but they are now meant for July, which buys us some more time to get the money."
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The Africa Elite Men and Women Boxing Championships total prize money has been doubled from $500,000 in Maputo, Mozambique last year to $1000,000 at the event this year.
At the Yaounde event, gold medallists will pocket $20,000, silver $10,000 and $5,000 for the two bronze medalists.
"It's a really good thing for boxers because they know they can earn from their work, which wasn't the case in the past when they would get nothing," Muhangi noted.
The monies represent a huge jump, as in Maputo, gold medallists took home $10,000, silver $5000 and $2,500 for the two bronze winners.
It's worth recalling that in Maputo, two Ugandans; Yusuf Nkobeza and Jonah Kyobe won bronze and bagged $2500 (about Shs9m) each, in prize money as a result.
Meanwhile Muhangi, who spent nearly a fortnight in Luzira Prisons over alleged forgery, has continued to call out the National Council of Sports for concentrating on petty fights instead of looking at building the game.
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"It's sad that instead of the NCS supporting our cause, they are picking petty fights. It's the sport that keeps losing."
"Right now, we struggle to get 3 billion (Uganda Shillings), yet we can for instance get this money in the various competitions, once we are funded and prepare early," he added.
"For instance, at the World Boxing Championships, individual winners will get $1 million (about UGX. 3.7bn) which money gets back into the economy."
"The winning country at the African Boxing Championships will get $1 million. If we win various championships, we may even do without the NCS funding."
"Boxing has a history of bringing medals to this country, all we need is to prepare early, not just a week or two before tournaments," Muhangi added.
Meanwhile, while boxing continues to advocate for more and timely funding, reports have it that they are set to suffer a cut in the 2023/24 budget.
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