A new boxing championship for East and Central Africa countries will be launched in Kampala this week, Rwanda Amateur Boxing Association (Raba) has said.

The new association to be named East and Central Africa Amateur Boxing Union (Ecaabu) will replace the Federation of East, Southern and Central Africa Amateur Boxing Association (Fescaaba) which lost recognition of the world governing body, International Amateur Boxing Association (Aiba) for failing to adhere to the rules and regulations of the championships.

Raba Technical Director Gashugi Kananura told Times Sport yesterday that the local body is yet to name a representative who will attend the launch.

"The new championship will help to elevate the boxing standards in the region. Boxing has really declined not only in Rwanda but regionally,"

"The new championship is aimed at bring back the sport to where it is supposed to be and this will the East African region to be able to produce brilliant boxers for World championships contrary to what is at present," Gashugi said

The international boxing body, AIBA has passed the rights for the new regional body to be launched in which former affiliates of the defunct association have been invited. Among the countries invited include; Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Mauritius, Seychelles and host Uganda. The general meeting will also elect new office bearers. In a related development, Rwanda is expected to bid to host the Zone V boxing championship which also be discussed in the meeting.

Initially the championship will be held in Cairo, Egypt but zone five members want a change in the venue due to different reasons.

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