Online Reporter
Liberty Dube
Sports Correspondent
MUTARE City Council has vowed to stage more major sporting events and upgrade recreational facilities, riding on the success of last Saturday’s “Pride of Mutare” International Boxing Tournament at Mutare Sports Club.
Town Clerk, Blessing Chafesuka, hailed the historic tournament as a turning point in the city’s quest to reclaim its sporting stature and open pathways for young athletes.
The event, funded through the municipal sports levy, drew international fighters and packed crowds to the newly refurbished venue.
Looking ahead, residents can expect further improvements across local stadia, clubs, and community grounds, with the levy continuing to bankroll rehabilitation projects and new programming.
Chafesuka urged ratepayers to settle bills promptly, stressing that timely payments directly fuel visible upgrades and headline events.
Council has identified sport as a key pillar for social development and economic growth, with the tournament positioning Mutare as a credible host for regional and international fixtures.
Last Saturday’s boxing extravaganza drew huge crowds and showcased the city’s growing appetite for sport.
The night featured 17 thrilling bouts, headlined by Zambian champion, Simon Ngoma’s successful defence of his World Boxing Federation (WBF) Africa lightweight title.
Fighters from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, and Tanzania turned the ring into a Southern African showcase, making it one of the biggest boxing spectacles Mutare has hosted in decades.
The marathon event stretched into the early hours of Sunday, wrapping up around 4am, with Chafesuka among the last officials to leave the venue after a night that cemented Mutare’s place back on the sporting map.
Speaking after the tournament, Chafesuka expressed satisfaction with the progress being made in reviving sport in Mutare, and pledged to continue hosting high-profile events across different sporting disciplines.
“As a city, we are thriving, and we believe we are bringing positive change to our communities. All we ask for is continued support from residents. The Charles Manyuchi the nation knows today started his boxing journey through tournaments held right here in Mutare. This initiative is part of our broader fight against drug and substance abuse, while also helping us restore the vibrant sporting culture that many people fondly remember from the 1980s,” he said, adding that the council’s vision is to support local athletes and create pathways for them to compete at regional and international level.
“We want our boxers and athletes to compete on the biggest stages — from local competitions to the SADC region and beyond. Our goal is to build a strong and vibrant sporting culture within the city,” he said.
Chafesuka revealed that the city also plans to identify and nurture local boxing talent through regular tournaments and development programmes.
“Through these initiatives, we will recruit and develop our own local boxers. We are determined to restore sporting excellence in Mutare. Many people have told me that the last time they witnessed boxing events of this calibre was in the 1980s. That is why, as the Town Clerk, I am proud and excited about what we are achieving,” he said.
Beyond boxing, the council has intensified efforts to revive sporting infrastructure across the city.
Chafesuka encouraged residents to visit some of the refurbished facilities and witness the transformation for themselves.
“Visit Sakubva Swimming Pool, our tennis and basketball courts, and the Chikanga Sports Complex. I challenge residents to come and see the progress at Sakubva Stadium. We are working hard to restore these facilities so that communities can once again enjoy sport and recreation,” he said, adding that while some may not yet fully appreciate the council’s direction, the long-term objective is to rebuild community spirit through sport and provide meaningful opportunities for young people.
“Sometimes people may not fully understand the direction we are taking, but our focus remains on restoring community spirit through sport and creating opportunities for the youth. All we want is support from the community. The sports levy is there to benefit residents, and we intend to do a lot more for the city,” said Chafesuka.
He also admitted that before Saturday’s tournament, he had never experienced live boxing in Mutare, and was unsure of what to expect. However, the overwhelming turnout and excitement exceeded expectations and reinforced the importance of investing in sport.
Last year, Mutare City Council invested US$1,2 million in a comprehensive sports infrastructure refurbishment programme between January and June 2025. The initiative resulted in major upgrades to several facilities across the eastern border city.
The programme is expected to play a key role in combating drug and substance abuse, promoting healthy lifestyles among youths, and providing constructive recreational activities for communities.
For nearly two decades, Mutare’s sporting facilities had deteriorated significantly.
Sakubva Stadium – once the pride of football in Manicaland – had repeatedly been banned from hosting top-flight league matches because of its poor condition.
However, the city council has since undertaken extensive renovations at the stadium and completed, the refurbishment of Sakubva Swimming Pool. In addition, the council has acquired modern equipment for its football and netball teams competing in elite leagues.
Plans are also under way to upgrade Chikanga Sports Club and other sporting facilities in Dangamvura as Mutare continues its mission to reclaim its status as one of Zimbabwe’s leading sporting cities.
