Chronicle Editor
Fungai Muderere, Senior Sports Writer
THE present Zimbabwe Boxing and Wrestling Control Act (Chapter 25:02) is reportedly outdated and is not aligned with the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act. 2013, amid revelations that it does not provide for participation for all including women and people with disabilities among other challenges.
The revelations were made by Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (ZNBWCB) acting chief executive officer Priscilla Kadungure, a key figure in the day-to-day running of professional boxing in the country.
ZNBWCB was established through the Zimbabwe Boxing and Wrestling Control Act Chapter 25:02 of 1956.
The objects of the Board are to regulate, control and exercise general supervision over boxing or wrestling at tournaments in Zimbabwe with a view to the elimination of undesirable practices and the protection of the interests of boxers, wrestlers, promoters, officials and the public generally.
According to the Boxing and Wrestling Control legislature, which was enacted in 1963, female boxers are not recognised and it had to take the efforts of the board back in the late 1980s to convince the Sports Ministry to allow women to participate in professional boxing.
Kudungure said the Boxing and Wrestling Control Act now fails to provide for: “effective professional combat sport dispute resolution mechanisms, participation for all including women and people with disabilities, marketing mechanisms for combat sport and integrated system for smooth transition from amateur to professional combat sports.”
As if that is not enough, Kadungure revealed that the Boxing and Wrestling Control Act (Chapter25: 02) has been found wanting as it also fails to provide for the recognition and reward of outstanding combat sport persons, managers, promoters, trainers, organisations and associations through a national awards system, protection from exploitation, protection of all combat sport persons, managers, trainers, promoters and officials, establishment and maintenance of cordial relations with regional, continental and international combat sport bodies.
Zimbabwe Boxing Federation (ZBF) technical director Stephen Masiyambumbi said there was a need to revise the Boxing and Wrestling Control Act to recognise professional women boxers.
“Changing the Act will be a move in the right direction. There is a need to change that Act so that it also covers female professional boxers. At a time the Act is silent on professional female boxers, female boxers that include Monalisa Sibanda and Kudakwashe Chivandire have done well in professional circles.
“However, on the amateur side we do not have any problems because our constitution allows us to use International Boxing Association (IBA) rules where we are affiliated. We are governed by the Sports and Recreation (SRC),” said Masiyambumbi.
Matabeleland South provincial boxing co-ordinator Maculwamahle Nkomo bemoaned the Boxing and Wrestling Control Act’s failure to provide for participation for all including women and people with disabilities.
She said there was a need to include everyone in sport for the benefit of the country as a whole.
“It’s a disheartening development. The growth of professional boxing and wrestling into a thriving industry in Zimbabwe can become a reality and as a province we have always believed they can create employment in both disciplines. Our key thrust has been to push for everyone’s inclusion, that is women and those with disabilities.
“Everyone should participate in boxing and wrestling as an athlete, official, coach and in any other way. It all calls for total inclusion, it is combat sport no one should be left behind. We are not gifted in the same thing and as a province we are making strides in trying to train deaf people who are interested in boxing,” said Nkomo. – @FungaiMuderere
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