The Uganda Zurkhaneh team has won gold and silver medals at the recent World Cup championships held in Iran, according to officials of the Uganda Zurkhaneh Sports Association.
Eddie Gombya, the association’s president, said the achievements marked a major milestone for the sport in Uganda and pledged to further promote Zurkhaneh, as well as wushu and kung fu, across the country. He said the sport had the potential to unite Ugandan youth with their counterparts in Iran and beyond.
Speaking to Bbeg Media, Gombya revealed that the Ugandan team returned home with gold and silver medals, as well as trophies from the World Cup competition.
“In a special way, I would like to inform our fans and funders that Zurkhaneh sport is officially recognised and licensed as one of the games in Uganda,” Gombya said.
He thanked the government for its support through the National Council of Sports and the Uganda Olympic Committee.
Gombya expressed gratitude to Ugandans who have embraced the sport through participation and funding, saying the recent success had convinced him that the national team could compete for global titles in future championships.
He explained that Zurkhaneh is different from conventional kickboxing, with which many Ugandans often associate him.
He said the sport focuses on respect, love and the cultivation of a heroic and virtuous character through physical and spiritual training. Its core values include chivalry, humility, self purification, generosity and a strong sense of national identity.
Gombya said Zurkhaneh blends ancient Persian strength traditions with Islamic ethics and Sufi mysticism to promote holistic self improvement. Participants are encouraged to value bravery, honesty, social responsibility, discipline and loyalty, fostering a warrior spirit centred on justice and community protection.
Gombya, who is also the secretary general of Zurkhaneh in Africa, said the association in Uganda has engaged the National Council of Sports and the Uganda Olympic Committee to have the sport included on the national sports calendar.
He said this would help secure funding and authorisation for Ugandan teams to represent the country at international tournaments.
However, he expressed concern over what he described as weak structures in Ugandan kickboxing, despite his long standing efforts to promote the sport. He cited the rise of well known fighters such as Moses Golola as evidence of its potential, but said it was disappointing that the kickboxing association lacks visible and traceable offices in the country.
He called on sports lovers, former players and funders to revive the sport, saying kickboxing could attract widespread public interest and provide a platform for the business community to advertise and promote their products and services.
