By: Ronald Kintu
When singer-cum-politician Bobi Wine sang in one of his hit songs ‘Number One’ inspiring the youth, Ugandan boxer Jonah Kyobe took it personally, and now, he is earning millions from his boxing talent.
The national team member who before the Covid 19 pandemic was juggling two jobs; slaughtering man during the day and a security guard at night plus boxing had a dream just like the lyrics of Bobi Wine.
As you read this, Kyobe, Uganda’s seed number one in the Feather Weight category is yet to own a Mercedes Benz but he is on the right track to achieve big as he stressed in an interview last year.
“I know how far I have come and I know where I want to be. First is to win a gold medal for Uganda then focus on making money and drive big cars like those of my president ( Moses Muhangi).”
Last year was a turning point for Kyobe who stopped being an Asikari (security guard job) adjacent Parliament of Uganda and a Slaughterer in Kalerwe market meat packers and turned into the boss to create more time for boxing.
The move paid off as he went on to represent the country at regional, continental, and Commonwealth Games. Kyobe won gold and bronze in Tanzania and Maputo, Mozambique respectively.
Kyobe who got onto the scene in 2019, winning a national open gold medal under the guidance of former Bombers captain and coach, the late Isaac Zebra Ssenynage has since improved his art and the world stage is his next stop shortly.
On Thursday afternoon, Kyobe and teammate Yusuf Nkobeza received their International Boxing body prize money. They both bagged USD 2500 (UGX9, 291, 780/=) for their triumph at the 2022 continental bronze medals show in Maputo Mozambique.
“This was a dream and now that I am living it, I want more and this calls for more and more sacrifices. I promise not to rest, I will train every day as I continue to win medals for my country before turning professional,” Kyobe noted after getting his cash bonanza.
The UBF President also added each of the two boxers $270 in fulfillment of a pledge he made to all Ugandan boxers last year. Well if such a cash bonanza is not the right motivation then what can push one to reach for the stars?
In a nutshell, Kyobe’s story mirrors other athletes from humble backgrounds. Unfortunately, with the poor or lack of grassroots funding from the government and others, we miss many on the road as they quit their dreams in pursuit of putting food on the table for their families.
I know this is a long read but allow me to end it by borrowing more lyrics from ‘Number One’.
Courtesy Photos
