adminHarare Bureau
SPORT and Recreation Minister, Makhosini Hlongwane, has met the country’s boxing authorities and emphasised the need for a review of the Act that governs the operations of the Zimbabwe National Boxing Control Board. The meeting was part of the Minister’s familiarisation with the Zimbabwean sport sector.
“They discussed as well as agreed on a number of issues that shall see the development of boxing from the grassroots level,” a statement released by Benson Martins Dube, the Principal Director Sport and Sport Industry, said.
“The Minister emphasised on the need to review the Act that governs the operations of the Zimbabwe National Boxing Control Board taking note of the issue of gender equality since the current Act only allows for the registration and licensing of male boxers.
“The Act as agreed in the meeting has to be modernised, reviewed and repealed to conform with the International World Boxing Council Standards and International best practice.
“Minister Hlongwane made it clear that, notwithstanding the economic challenges, the government has to meet its statutory obligations to support the Zimbabwe National Boxing Control Board.
“The Minister further stated that it’s a travesty that the board has functioned without fixed board since it was installed some four years ago, adding that this is not good for the development of boxing in the country.
“The meeting also agreed that the board function has to be devolved to provinces, to facilitate equitable access to the Sport of Boxing. He said that boxing is well placed to be very competitive and has to occupy prominent space in Zimbabwe’s Sport sector.”
Online Reporter