Fatuma Nabikolo and Angel Katushabe, Uganda’s female boxers who were excluded from the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for lack of mandatory genetic sex test certificates, regret missing an easy medal opportunity but remain focused on their career goals.
The duo were just among the many who were knocked out by the rules which required females to prove their biological genders through an SRY test or an equivalent before entering any competition organised or sanctioned by World Boxing, the new international boxing governing body.
August 20, World Boxing (WB) communicated to all its member federations, including Uganda about the new gender eligibility rules which first applied at the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, where a total of female boxers from France, Philippines, Fiji, Dominican Republic and Nigeria, were excluded without sex test certificates.
The technical handbook from the Islamic Solidarity Sports Association clearly says that boxing at the Riyadh Games would be run according to WB rules. But the Uganda Boxing Federation blamed WB and the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) for not clearly communicating that necessity regarding the Islamic Games.
The night before the technical meeting in Riyadh, Nabikolo had first heard from the coach of the Iraq national team that some ladies may be ruled out due to sex tests. ‘I didn’t take it seriously. But when we were told we weren’t going to fight, I was utterly disappointed,’ Nabikolo told Daily Monitor days after returning from Riyadh.
‘I was eager to continue my fine form after winning gold in Nairobi. But then this test drama was a huge shock. I was so annoyed and no explanation could console me.’
Nabikolo and Katushabe had just won gold and bronze respectively at the Africa Zone 3 Boxing Championship in Nairobi in late October when they travelled to Riyadh.
‘We had no idea about the sex tests. Fresh from Nairobi, all our bodies and minds were tuned up for action. Then came the shocker. It was really a terrible blow. We didn’t see it coming,’ Katushabe said in a tone that smelt indignation despite being careful with her words.
‘It was very disturbing to say the least. We sacrifice a lot, for instance, I put my classes on halt to do two tournaments in quick succession,’ the senior five student at Winston Standard Secondary School said.
‘Basically, our preps and expectations were just wasted.’
‘You would rather lose in the ring than being denied the chance to fight.’
The duo resorted to supporting teammates Jimmy Adriko and Alfred Ojok, who won bronze-Uganda’s first boxing medal at the Games-after reaching the semifinals of the Men’s 80 kg division.
What we missed
The tournament expected 120 boxers-60 men, 60 women-but ended up with just 69 boxers. As a result, most divisions started at the quarterfinal stage.
‘I surely would have won a medal because I didn’t see much competition in my weight category,’ featherweight Nabikolo said.
‘Even coaches from other countries came to our camp begging me to spar with their boxers. They told me I should have won a medal.’
Riyadh was Katushabe’s first major international assignment, having debuted in Nairobi, where she got flyweight bronze.
‘Actually, I’m not proud of that bronze I got from Nairobi. I don’t go to tournaments for bronze. So, in Riyadh I wanted to do better and I think I would have reached the finals. But without a fighting chance, Riyadh was a wasted opportunity!’
But the ladies want to treat this as a knockdown-not a knockout-and are keen to beat the count.
‘I haven’t resumed training but very soon I shall resume pursuing my goals,’ Nabikolo said.
‘I hope the federation will help us in making these tests. And I have no doubt I will continue with my career.’
Katushabe agrees. ‘We shall do the tests and resume chasing our dreams. We have a lot in sight.’
The victims are no longer green about sex tests. While nursing her heartbreak, the inquisitive Nabikolo asked fellow athletes about the tests.
‘Saudi boxers told me their federation took them for the tests but it’s an expensive process and the results took about two to three weeks to come out,’ Nabikolo said.
From this experience, Katushabe believes boxers will ask more questions about their eligibility ahead of tournaments.
‘We now know better that travelling to a tournament is no guarantee for participation.’
COUNTRIES AFFECTED BY SEX TESTS
Egypt, Palestine, Chad, Sudan, Uganda, Morocco, Algeria