Ugandans look on in awe after bodybuilder Ivan Byekwaso switches citizenship to Germany for more money, better facilities and a guaranteed chance to make an Olympic team.
Barely a year ago, struggling for sponsorship ahead of the 2016 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, a cash-strapped Byekwaso said he would consider switching nationality to “salvage my talent”. Not a single government official came out to help him.
Last year while representing Uganda, Byekwaso won two gold medals at the World Cup and the Mr Universe, both in USA
Fast-forward to last Sunday, he confirmed without remorse he was going to represent Germany at the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness (IFBB) European Championship next year
This follows Byekwaso’s success at the Germany qualifiers on Sunday when athletes from different federal German states vied for the coveted ticket. The Munich-based Byekwaso, who represented Bavaria, finished fourth among 12 athletes in the Men’s Class 2, to book the ticket.
It is a sad day when Uganda’s gold medals can be lost in such a brazen manner.
