The 2025 World Boxing Championships, currently underway in Liverpool, have already delivered historic milestones, with Great Britain equaling its best-ever medal tally on the world stage. Yet, while 500 boxers from more than 60 nations entered the ring, one glaring absence has raised eyebrows: Uganda and other East African boxing federations failed to participate.

The tournament, which began on September 4 and runs until the finals later this month, marks the first Elite-level global championships organized by World Boxing, the new international governing body for Olympic-style boxing. Despite Africa being represented by countries such as Algeria and Nigeria, the East African region was left out entirely – a setback that has sparked questions over eligibility, governance, and lost opportunity.

Why East Africa Was Missing

According to World Boxing’s qualification system, entry into the Championships is far from automatic. Boxers must:

• Belong to a National Federation (NF) affiliated with World Boxing.
• Compete successfully in National Federation tournaments and the World Boxing Challenge, which awards crucial ranking points.
• Earn eligibility through the World Boxing Cup and maintain a position within the World Boxing rankings.
• Be selected by their NF, with only one athlete per weight class permitted.

In Uganda’s case – and for neighboring federations in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi – several stumbling blocks are evident:

1. Lack of World Boxing Affiliation – Many East African federations are still tied to the rival body, IBA (International Boxing Association). This has created governance confusion, leaving boxers unable to access World Boxing competitions.
2. Limited International Exposure – Without consistent participation in the World Boxing Challenge or World Boxing Cup, East African athletes have not been able to gather the necessary ranking points.
3. Resource and Funding Constraints – Financial support remains a chronic issue. Preparing and sending athletes to European or Asian qualification events requires significant funding that many federations cannot sustain.
4. Selection and Administrative Hurdles – Even where talent exists, federations face criticism for poor structures, late preparations, and sometimes internal politics that hinder international representation.

What East Africa Stands to Lose

The consequences of missing the World Boxing Championships are profound, both for individual boxers and their federations.

• Exposure and Development: Competing at the World Championships pits athletes against the best in the world, providing invaluable experience that cannot be replicated locally.
• Rankings and Olympic Pathways: Strong performances feed into global rankings, a vital stepping stone toward Olympic qualification. By missing out, East African boxers lose ranking points and competitive visibility.
• National Pride and Recognition: Participation at world level raises the profile of the sport nationally, attracting sponsors and government attention. For countries like Uganda with a rich boxing history, absence sends the wrong signal about the state of the sport.
• Federation Growth: Membership with World Boxing offers governance reform, athlete welfare programs, and access to broader international funding streams. Without affiliation, East African federations remain sidelined.

The Bigger Picture

As Great Britain, Cuba, the United States, and Uzbekistan continue their medal quests in Liverpool, East Africa watches from the sidelines. For athletes who dream of Olympic rings or professional contracts, the missed opportunity is not just about 2025 – it risks setting the region back years in international boxing relevance.

The road ahead demands clarity: federations must decide whether to align with World Boxing, restructure qualification systems, and invest in building pathways for their fighters. Without these steps, East Africa risks boxing itself into isolation while the rest of the world powers forward.