Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO has once again shown its potential to produce boxing champions, but coach Arnold “Yaya” Sibanda believes greater sponsorship and support are needed to turn the city’s abundant talent into sustained success.
Sibanda, who was selected to lead the Bulawayo provincial youth boxing team at the 2026 Youth Games in Marondera, returned with a strong showing despite travelling with only six boxers instead of the planned 10.
Bulawayo emerged as the best boxing province at the Games, winning the trophy for the best boxing province while also producing the tournament’s Best Boxer.
Sibanda said the performances were proof that the city has the raw talent to produce champions if young boxers are given the resources to develop.
“The boxers really did well. I just told them we have to fight for Bulawayo. They did very well,” said Sibanda.
Among the standout performers was Somandla “Tyson” Sibanda, who won gold and was named Best Boxer of the Tournament.
The young boxer underlined his class by stopping his opponents in the semi-final and final in the opening round.
“For Somandla Sibanda, he knocked out his opponents in the final and semi-final in the first round. This shows there is talent in Bulawayo which just needs support and to be nurtured,” said Sibanda.
Bulawayo’s gold-medal winners also included Junior Letshwajang and Yemurai Tafirenyika, while Zvikomborero “Hitman” Hlekiso and Blessing “Jab Master” Chiundo claimed bronze medals.
Sibanda, who worked alongside female assistant coach Hilda Kaye, said the results should serve as a wake-up call to potential sponsors and stakeholders to invest in boxing development.
He believes the province can produce even more champions if young fighters are provided with adequate equipment, training opportunities and exposure.
“If we get support and sponsorship, there is loads of talent in Bulawayo. With backing we will get more champions. There is a lot of boxing talent in Bulawayo,” he said.
The success in Marondera also highlights the potential of grassroots boxing as a pathway for identifying and developing future national representatives.
For Sibanda, the medals are therefore more than just a successful campaign. They are evidence of what can be achieved when young athletes are given an opportunity to compete.
Bulawayo’s boxing fraternity will now hope the province’s Youth Games success can attract the investment needed to build on the latest breakthrough and ensure talented youngsters do not abandon the sport because of a lack of resources.
The message from the provincial team is clear, the talent is already there. What is needed now is the support to nurture it into champions.
