adminBy Gilbert Munetsi in VICTORIA FALLS
YOUTH, Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister Dr Kirsty Coventry will on Wednesday announce a new Boxing and Wrestling Control Board, three years after the lapse of term of office of the previous one.
The announcement was made by the Chief Director in the Ministry, Dr Benson Dube, in a speech he delivered to welcome delegates to the World Boxing Council All-Africa Officials’ Training Seminar currently under way at the Kingdom Hotel in Victoria Falls. It is running concurrently with the African Boxing Union Convention.
“The Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Bboard has not been having a board since the term of office of the last commission came to an end and as the Ministry, we can assure you that a new board is being announced and the new members will be joining us this Wednesday during the official opening ceremony,” Dr Dube told the gathering. Sports Minister Dr Coventry is expected to announce the commissioners as it is her prerogative to appoint them.
According to the Boxing and wrestling Control Act Chapter 25.02 which came into existence in 1956, a team of not less than five individuals are chosen to control, regulate and exercise supervision over boxing tournaments in the country. They are also mandated to eliminate undesirable elements as well as protecting the interests of boxers, managers, promoters and other stakeholders.
Dube said the hosting of the two mega events was testimony to the commitment of the Zimbabwean government to the development of the entire continent using sport as a tool. More than 100 delegates from 17 African countries are attending the annual convergence.
“There is so much to be realised from and through sport in general, and boxing in particular.
“The gathering of all African member states here will promote peace, networking, sharing of ideas, knowledge and experience among the participants. In order to achieve total development, there is need to continue investing in human capacity development and this particular forum will hopefully address the knowledge gaps which exist among our people.
The two events are being attended by the WBC vice president (who is also the ABU president) Houicine Houichi, his deputy Dr Peter Ngatane, director of Sport and Recreation and Dr Eugenia Chidhakwa, among others.
Meanwhile, veteran promoter Stalin Mau Mau was yesterday remembered and honoured by the WBC for his sterling efforts in the promotion of the sport of boxing. He was given a medal.
Mau Mau, who runs a boxing stable in Harare, has promoted the sport for more than two decades, and has managed several champion boxers who include Alfonso “Mosquito” Zvenyika (two-time Commonwealth champion), Ambrose Mlilo, Misheck Kondwani and Peter Pambeni.
Online Reporter