adminGilbert Munetsi Sports Correspondent
IT was a night to remember for boxing enthusiasts at St Mary’s Hall in Chitungwiza beginning late Saturday night and spilling into early Sunday morning as spectators were entertained by the more than 30 boxing bouts that were on the cards. Boxers drawn from Masvingo, Chivhu, Harare Metropolitan and the host city partook to the “sport of sweet science” and the platform provided for a reunion of the forgotten former champions, among them Richard and Fay Hwata, Jeremiah Chiyangwa, Erick Sauti, Tedias Dzandiwandira and Jefias Mufayi.
The tournament was the first in five years to be held in the dormitory city despite it being home to many famous personalities in the fields of sport, music and other entertainment sectors.
BoxAfrica, a new concept has come up with a new series it is still assessing with a view to taking to other parts of the country as a way of reviving boxing that has been in the doldrums for a long time owing to a myriad of bottlenecks which include lack of funding, and squabbles among the stakeholders of a discipline that was once second to football in terms of popularity.
At one time, boxing would be staged inside Rufaro where soon after independence for instance, the late Zambian great Lottie Mwale and Kidd Power Mutambisi faced each other inside the ring in an unforgettable 12-round bout which the latter classified as one of his best ever before his demise a few years ago.
Among the guests present at the Chitungwiza tournament were former national heavyweight champion (for 10 years) and Commonwealth trialist Arigoma Chiponda and current World Boxing Council international welterweight champion Charles Manyuchi.
The Provincial Administrator for Harare Metropolitan Province, Alfred Tome, officiated at the event as the guest of honour and had a word of advice for the young boxers to abstain from drug abuse, other social vices and crime.
He pledged the support of Chitungwiza Municipality and other sister local authorities in uplifting sport and making it an industry in line with the Government vision of making sport a vibrant industry.
“I come from a teaching background (academic) and know how imperative it is to integrate sport into our extra curriculum. Today many countries, particularly in Europe, have their gross domestic product premised to a large extent on sport and with the abundant talent that we have at our disposal, we can certainly achieve similar, if not better things.
“After all, most athletes that make it big on those continents come from the African continent.
“We need to sit down as leaders and look at reasons why boxing is no longer as popular as it used to be back in the day. With such great talent like we have seen today, we certainly have to look ourselves in the mirror and come up with a plan that makes it possible to revive the waning fortunes of this beautiful sport where even after a gruelling tussle inside the ring the bloodied opponents are seen to embrace at the end of a bout,” said Tome.
Aaron Mhonyera, the Chitungwiza Municipality sports administrator paid tribute to the organisers of the tournament, BoxAfrica, and said it went a long way in portraying the city in good light.
Online Reporter