Masiyambumbi buried

Bulawayo Bureau
LONG-SERVING amateur boxing administrator and veteran coach Petros Masiyambumbi, who died on Wednesday morning, was buried at Luveve Cemetery yesterday.

Masiyambumbi was 54.

He succumbed to kidney failure at the United Bulawayo Hospitals.

The Zimbabwe Amateur Boxing Association technical director received a rousing send-off with mourners coming from all over the country to bid their last respects at a service held at Imbizo Barracks before proceeding to Luveve Cemetery.

Zimbabwe National Army Commander for Bulawayo District Exebious Tshuma, Zaba vice-president Jefter Kunjinga, Sports and Recreation Commission official Sam Dzvimbu, Bulawayo Amateur Boxing Association’s Ezwell Ndlovu and national team coach, Mpiliso Moyo, attended Masiyambumbi’s burial.

“The void left by Masiyambumbi will be difficult to fill because he was a horse in terms of sport development.

“He travelled throughout the country to make sure that the sport of boxing develops,” said Dzvimbu.

The SRC encouraged Masiyambumbi’s sons to preserve their father’s legacy by ensuring that Nketa Boxing Club continues to produce boxers.

Bulawayo liaison officer for professional boxing Gabriel Moyo, who worked closely with Masiyambumbi since 1982, said the former Zaba technical director was a boxing hero.

“I saw him when he was still young, back in 1982 when he had just joined the army. He loved boxing and was a disciplined boxer.

“He was a key factor in army’s team, I believe he served the force and boxing with distinction, for that he is a hero,” said Moyo.

Masiyambumbi’s last appointment was with Team Zimbabwe to the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Games in Bulawayo where he was the boxing team manager

He helped Team Zimbabwe win five medals and there was hope for him to continue with the good work at the Africa Games set for Congo Brazzavile.

Masiyambumbi is survived by 10 children, five boys and five girls.