Njube Boxing Academy boss nominated for African award

NJUBE Boxing Academy chairman and director Arnold “Yaya” Sibanda is feeling on top of the world after he was nominated for the African Sports Influencer of the Year Awards set to be held in Kenya early next month.

This year, the awards have reportedly made some significant changes, including reducing the category list from 29 to 24 in order to focus on core areas of influence.

The awards celebrate community building efforts, digital creativity and innovation efforts of influencers in Africa

Sibanda’s Njube Boxing Academy has afforded primary and secondary school going athletes an alternative choice of sport.

The academy also provides life skills training to the youngsters, running campaigns against drugs and substance abuse.

“I’m over the moon. I feel blessed and honoured to be nominated for that award.

“I’m told the awards ceremony is set to take place sometime in October and to be honest I didn’t know that my work is getting recognised by many people hence the nomination. I have always told my boxers to always seek to do the right things each and every time for them to be rewarded. It seems I have been very influential in my community where the drive is to keep the youths away from the streets and helping them to shun drug and substance abuse,” said an overjoyed Sibanda.

Njube Boxing Academy was established last year in January and is home to 25 boxers, 21 boys and four girls who are aged between six and 18 years.

“We conduct our training sessions at Salukazi Arts Centre and it all needs dedication and hard work. It has been a challenging journey because we don’t have a sponsor. However, we will soldier on,” said Sibanda.

Besides the Sports Influencer of the Year Award, other categories include, Music Influencer of the Year, Dance Influencer of the Year, Fashion Influencer of the Year, Arts and Photography Influencer of the Year, Lifestyle Influencer of the Year, Media and Blogger Influencer of the Year, Food Influencer of the Year, Business Influencer of the Year, Comedy Influencer of the year and Most Influential Actor/Actress of the Year.

There will also be gongs for Tech Influencer of the Year and Next Gen Influencer of the Year.

Last year, the awards platform received an overwhelming participation of more than 860 000 votes cast across different categories-@FungaiMuderere