Boxing administrator Masiyambumbi buried

Sports Reporter
LONG-SERVING amateur boxing administrator and veteran coach Petros Masiyambumbi, who died on Wednesday, was buried at Luveve Cemetery in Bulawayo yesterday.

Masiyambumbi, 54, a warrant officer class one in the Zimbabwe National Army, succumbed to kidney failure at the United Bulawayo Hospitals.

The Zimbabwe Amateur Boxing Association (Zaba) technical director received a rousing sendoff with mourners coming from across the country to pay their last respects at a service held at Imbizo Barracks.

The ZNA Commander for Bulawayo District, Colonel Exebious Tshuma, Zaba vice-president Jefter Kunjinga, Sports and Recreation Commission official Sam Dzvimbu, Bulawayo Amateur Boxing Association’s Ezwell Ndlovu and national team coach Mpiliso Moyo attended Masiyambumbi’s burial.

“The void left by Masiyambumbi will be difficult to fill because he was a horse in terms of sport development. He travelled throughout the country to make sure that the sport of boxing develops,” said Dzvimbu.

The SRC encouraged Masiyambumbi’s sons to preserve their father’s legacy by ensuring the Nketa Boxing Club continues to churn out talent.

Bulawayo liaison officer for professional boxing Gabriel Moyo, who worked closely with Masiyambumbi since 1982, said the former Zaba technical director was a boxing hero.“I saw him when he was still young back in 1982 when he had just joined the army. He loved boxing and was a disciplined boxer. He was a key member in the army’s team and would organise transport to carry the ring, boxers and officials from the army. I believe he served the force and boxing with distinction, for that he is a hero,” said Moyo.

At the time of his death, Masiyambumbi was a warrant officer class one in the army’s school of sport.

Masiyambumbi’s last appointment was with Team Zimbabwe to the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Games in Bulawayo where he was the Boxing Team Manager. He helped Team Zimbabwe win five medals and there was hope for him to continue with the good work at the Africa Games set for Congo Brazzavile.

Masiyambumbi is survived by 10 children, five boys and five girls.