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Nkosilathi Sibanda, [email protected]
THE Victoria Falls Boxing Academy will host the Zimbabwe Boxing Federation (ZBF) national open tournament this Saturday in the resort city, with more than 120 boxers scheduled to take part.
In staging the tournament, the Academy has collaborated with ZBF in what is expected to be a showcase of the best talent in the amateur, junior and senior boxing categories. Organisers said they intend to use this event as an opportunity to identify talented boxers for the national teams, who will then participate in the Mandela African Boxing Cup scheduled for April 15 to 21 in Durban, South Africa.
ZBF technical director Steven Masiyambumbi told Zimpapers Sports Hub that they were taking the Victoria Falls boxing gig as a serious event.
“We have held national tournaments before, with the last being in November. This one is the first of the year and we want as many boxers to participate. More than 120 boxers from all the provinces will be in Victoria Falls at the weekend.
“What makes this tournament as big is that we are using it to select boxers who will take part in the International Boxing Federation-certified Mandela Cup. We will select 13 male and 12 female boxers to go for this tournament,” said Masiyambumbi.
Victoria Falls Boxing Academy director and coach, Tobias Mupfuti, expressed their readiness to host the championships. He also mentioned that the upcoming edition will take place at the home of the Victoria Falls Boxing Academy.
“The Victoria Falls Boxing Academy consistently hosts a number of tournaments and the national boxing tournament is one that has brought a number of boxers under one roof. In order to make this open tournament even more special, we have again chosen to hold it at the academy’s location in Chinotimba.
“The tournament is on. We are ready. The preparatory process is flowing. This is a national tournament, where we are expecting boxers from all the provinces to take part. The tournament will be used to choose a senior team that will represent the country in the Mandela Cup, in Durban South Africa. It is a serious competition. We will give further updates about the competition in the week,” he said.
Mupfuti told Zimpapers Sports Hub that boxers from all over the country have indicated that they will be in Victoria Falls for the bouts.
“This presents an opportunity for the boxers to gain visibility among promoters and coaches. It is important to consider that these competitions provide a platform for boxers to connect with influential figures in the boxing industry. Moreover, it offers a chance for certain individuals to receive invitations to participate in fights in other parts of the region and the continent,” he said.
Last year the tournament had a total of 92 boxers.
Notable upcoming pugilists that made it to the Mandela Cup in the previous year were Calvin Taliyana, Melusi Chigango, Linox Chigango from Victoria Falls, Wayne Ncube, Mqhele Moyo (Hwange), Glorious Moyo, Proud Phiri (Bulawayo Club), Nkosiyazi Munenge and Michael Bazaya from Njube Club.
From Lobengula Club there was Emmanuel Mlotshwa and Tafadzva Nkiwane.
Godknows Masina and Lwazi Mpofu from HQ1 Brigade also made the cut.
Vimbayinashe Murandu, Zvikomborero Chamere, Nyasha Phiri and Julaykah Balakazi (Shumba Academy), Tinotenda Nyatsunga (Mashonaland Central) and Mandlenkosi Marusenga (Masvingo) made the grade too.-@NkosieLegend
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