adminNgoni Dapira
SEVEN referees and one coach were last Friday internationally certified after receiving their International Boxing Association (AIBA) 1-star certificates.
The AIBA 1-star is the first level certificate for a boxing referee or coach to officiate in matches at international level.
They received their certificates from Sports and Recreation Commission director sport development, Joseph Muchechetere, during the finals of the Zimbabwe National Youth Games boxing matches at Mutare Hall.
The seven referees are Willard Mupfurirwa, Steven Masiyambumbi, Ezwell Ndlovu, Enety Chenge, Sarudzai Boroma, James Mudara and Taonga Muzhange, while national team boxing coach, Mphilisi Moyo was the only one who received an AIBA 1-star coaching certificate.
Zimbabwe Boxing Federation national secretary general, Goodwill Sibanda, said initially 20 Zimbabwean referees were recommended to the AIBA Development Department, but only 10 made the cut to sit for the five-day training programme in December last year.
“Two instructors from Denmark and Thailand conducted the training course in December in Bulawayo. The 10 selected referees were further examined and their results were sent to the AIBA Development Department.
“Out of the 10, seven made the cut and they are the ones receiving certificates today. The same applies to coach Moyo who is now a certified international coach following his certification,” said Sibanda.
Sibanda added that Moyo was one of the privileged three African boxing coaches who qualified for advanced training in Kazakhstan, Russia during the 2013 AIBA World Boxing Championships.
He said his AIBA 1- star certification now made him a qualified trainer to advance professional boxing training in the country.
Muchechetere said the continuous development of skills for referees and coaches was important as the country drives towards professionalising sport.
He said the only way sport could be advanced professionally in the country was through qualified and proficient implementers with credible international qualifications.
Online Reporter