David Basajja Mivule [David Kitooke] was born in Uganda on September 29, 1978. He started his boxing career in Rwanda in 1999 and represented Rwanda as the first nonprofessional boxer in Cameroon where he won a silver medal.
Basajja represented Rwanda in All African Games in South Africa looking for the Olympic Games qualification. He also participated in All African Boxing Championship in Egypt and Kings Cup in Uganda where he won but did not progress.
“Rwanda gave me many chances. My first fight I went out representing Rwanda. I take Rwanda to be my mother land,” Basajja said.
Basajja started competing as a professional boxer in June 19, 2004.
As he embarks on a journey to develop boxing as a sport in Rwanda, a country that helped him develop his talent, Basajja is being supported by Kigali Marriott Hotel as he continues to pursue his dream.
“I am back here to support and mentor young talented boxers to develop them to be recognized on an international level.” He explained.
Kigali Marriott Hotel provided Bassaja with training and fighting ground.
“I approached Kigali Marriott Hotel and they agreed to support and work with me. I am using the gym “Saray Spa and fitness center” to train in boxing and bodybuilding in a bid to develop boxing talents in Rwanda,” he said.
Other partners Basajja has got are the Ministry of Sports and Culture and the Rwanda Boxing Federation.
“I am confident that at least four Rwandans will be participating in Olympic games. And for those competing in boxing will participate in other big matches,” he said.
Basajja trains 25 children in boxing since April 2018. His vision for Rwanda is to have professional boxers who are skilled to compete on an international level in a period of one year.
Among other plans Basajja has are to organize a boxing competition that is recognized by the African Boxing Union (ABU), affiliated to World Boxing Council. Should he win the competition, Rwanda would be able to host the World Boxing Championship.
Under this project, Kigali Marriott Hotel is supporting Basajja to organize a fight her in Kigali to be hsted at the hotel on November 3, 2018.
“It will be a big fight one that the country and the hotel will benefit from, as I will be fighting against one of the best fighters in Africa,” he promised.
Basajja said Rwanda has got many talented boxers because in Uganda there are some who play in the national team. He is here to see to it that Rwanda is represented in boxing in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Basajja has partnered with Kigali Marriott Hotel to raise awareness to the state of the art fitness facilities at the hotel through sports. The hotel has a gym that is open to both hotel guests and walk-ins.
Leave a Reply