National boxing championships on

Barracks.
The tournament is targeting both senior and junior fighters and each province is expected to field 10 male and eight female boxers.
Six provinces – Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, Mashonaland West, Harare, Midlands and the Zimbabwe National Army – have confirmed their participation.

Senior boxers will compete in 10 weight categories from lightweight to heavyweight divisions while the juniors will be grouped into 13 categories, according to their age groups.
Zimbabwe Amateur Boxing Association technical director, Petros Masiyambumbi, said they will be using the tournament as part of their preparations for the All-Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique, from September 3 to 18 and the National Youths Games set for this month in Gwanda.

“We are expecting all senior boxers from all the provinces to take part in the event.
“We are preparing for the All-Africa Games and this is going to be part of our preparations for the Games.
“We have submitted eight names to the Sports Commission but I understand the team will be trimmed to three fighters,” said Masiyambumbi.

The eight fighters whose names have been submitted to the Sports Commission are the Masiyambumbi brothers – Steven and Foster, Chivasa Magare, Emmanuel Mashiri, Last Magare, Josphat Mufayi and Ndodana Moyo.

The ZABA technical director said the event gives an opportunity to the junior fighters to fine-tune their skills as they prepare for the Youth Games set for this month in Gwanda.
“We are also giving an opportunity to all provinces who have selected their teams for the National Youth Games and it will be a chance for them to fine-tune their boxers.
“We have schools that have confirmed their participation, among them Prince Edward, Churchill and Kwekwe High,” said Masiyambumbi.

Masiyambumbi said they were expecting a tough competition in tomorrow’s tournament.
“We are definitely hoping for a stiff competition.
“They will be able to display their best skills and also for the juniors they will be assessing progress on their preparations for the Games in Gwanda.

“It is going to be a multi-purpose event because we are also going to have recruits from the army who will be taking part in the tournament,” said Masiyambumbi.
ZNA, who have been dominating in the national tournaments, will be hoping to continue with their good run.