Malik Kaliisa’s faction has made strong accusations against National Council of Sports as squabbles in Uganda Kickboxing Federation escalate.
In a meeting on Thursday in Nateete, Kaliisa’s faction revealed their discontent with NCS and called for government intervention.
“I came in to professionalise this Sport,” started Kaliisa who spoke amidst joyous cheers from the fighters.
“Everyone here is annoyed with the way things are unfolding but we are ready to die in this battle.
“We are calling upon president Museveni to come to our rescue, NCS has not done anything good especially Mr David Katende and Bernard Ogwel who have connived with a wrong Federation.
“My team is the one with the Kick boxing coaches, we have the fighters and managers, then who is NCS talking to? I was sworn in as the President after the election on 28th and am rightful president.”
Kaliisa addressing his followers in Nateete. Kisekka photo
Since the demise of President Hassan Sekilime in 2018, the Federation has failed to agree on who is the right person to take on the mantle.
As the constitution suggests, the Organising Secretary Patrick Luyoza was named the president on an interim basis.
However, his leadership was met with strong resistance by a group led by Kaliisa.
Kalisa’s team accused Luyoza of mismanagement and introducing his family members in running of the Federation.
Consequently, at the Luyoza was impeached in an extraordinary meeting were a vote of no confidence was passed, something he never acknowledged in October last year.
At the start of this year in January, Kaliisa was sworn in as President after the elections which NCS never sanctioned.
The clashes have since been forwarded to the courts of law.
Last month, Nakawa Court Magistrate Romans Odwori dismissed Kaliisa’s case which had been filed against Luyoza.
Kaliisa’s team has revealed that they are going to appeal in higher courts and are ready to do everything in their own means to take power.
Sadat Yiga. Fred Kisekka photo
Head coach of the national kickboxing team Sadat Yiga who doubles as the coach of Pentagon club in nateete branded Katende and Ogwel as cheats.
“Katende and Ogwel are just thieves, they are leading the sport backwards, Mr Donald Rukare (New NCS chairman) please come to the rescue before I release my fighters (they are like dogs in a cage. You may not like the consequences. We have been patient enough.”
Yiga’s comments were also reechoed by many other speakers on the day including fighter Abu ‘Baby Ndunya’ Kikenwa who promised to beat up on the two NCS officials on first sight.
Lawyer and treasurer in Kaliisa’s camp Khalid Tamale said: “The court’s ruling is just a set back, we are going to appeal because we want to to protect the interests of the fighters.”
