Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube [email protected]
ORGANISERS of the proposed professional boxing tournament set for Bulawayo next week have received a timely boost after the Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (ZNBWCB) gave them clearance to proceed with the event.
The tournament will coincide with the hosting of the Kuzana SCEEZ Sports and Arts Symposium to be held in the city.
In a letter last week, the board gave the greenlight and the promoters have upped gears to make sure Bulawayo hosts its first professional boxing tournament since 2012.
Zimbabwe sports lover and influential football personality in the UK, Marshall Gore and Gilbert Munetsi are the co-promoters of the proposed tournament which is taking advantage of the wider stakeholder involvement and reach of next week’s symposium to be held in Bulawayo.
“The Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (ZNBWCB) hereby confirms that Mr Marshall Gore (represented by Mr Gilbert as co-promoter) and the organising team have been tasked with assisting in the planning and co-ordination and mobilisation of support for a professional boxing tournament to be staged as part of the Kuzana SCEEZ Sports and Arts Festival,” wrote Priscilla Kadungure of the boxing board.
Boxing has been organised as one of the key sporting attractions to the major arts and festival that Bulawayo will play host to bringing together practitioners drawn from all over the country.
The board believes boxing has a role to play in youth development.
“The professional boxing tournament is being organised as one of the sporting attractions of this major festival and will be conducted in accordance with the applicable rules, regulations and requirements of the Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board.
“The board recognises the important role that professional boxing can play in youth development, talent identification, entertainment, employment creation, community engagement and the promotion of Zimbabwean sport,” added the board.
With the letter Gore and Munetsi were given the green light to engage the corporate sector, development partners, individuals, organisations and other stakeholders.
The tournament will allow boxers to showcase their talents.
“Such support may include, but is not limited to, financial sponsorship, transport, accommodation, meals, equipment, promotional support, accommodation, meals and media support,” wrote Kadungure.
She assured the nation that the board will continue with its regulatory oversight, sanctioning and technical support.
Munetsi said they are happy and called on the Bulawayo business community to step up.
“This is a chance to be part of efforts to revive the sport in the city. Bulawayo has previously had good tournaments and boxers. We pay tribute to guys like Omega Sibanda, Jeff Dube, Brian Moyo,
Never Chipo Mandizha and Dave Wellings who did so much for the sport. It is a challenge to a new generation to step up and help youngsters fulfill their dreams in the ring.
“We can assure the public and board that we are working around the clock to make this one happen.
This is a good moment for the sport to come back to its feet.
“There are so many exciting boxers to count on,” said Munetsi adding that they had selected boxers from the region and other centres to participate.
“We have been in touch with boxers’ management and we will announce the bill soon,” said Munetsi.
Anderson Sibanda of Bulawayo’s Lobengula Boxing Club is excited about the prospect of more city boxers getting exposure.
He is still on cloud nine after Sehliselwe Nhliziyo outpointed Marriam Dick of Malawi at Trabablas Three tournament in Kwekwe on Friday night.
“We want more fights for our boxers and we welcome the push we are getting from Munetsi and Gore,” said Sibanda.
