Sizinda to host boxing tourney

Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
SIZINDA South Beer Garden is certain to be a hive of activity next month when it hosts the national boxing championships.

Ten provinces plus the Zimbabwe National Army will take part in the Zimbabwe Boxing Federation tournament on 4 and 5 November with over 200 boxers expected to participate. Steven Masiyambumbi, the ZBF technical director said the local pugilists will use the competition to fine tune for international events which include the World Championships in India next month.

“We are having the national boxing championships at Sizinda South Beer Garden on 4 and 5 November where we are expecting the 10 provinces and the Zimbabwe National Army to take part. We are using the tournament to select boxers international events. More than 200 boxers are taking part in three categories, juniors, youth and elite boxers up to 40 years,’’ said Masiyambumbi.

Since the sport is struggling to find sponsorship, Highlanders treasurer Donald Ndebele, the owner of Sizinda South Beer Garden has assisted financially. Recently, the same facility was the venue for a Bulawayo Boxing Association open tournament where 60 boxers traded leather. It was attended by Tshinga Dube, the former Minister of Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators and Former Political Detainees.

“We have no sponsors, we are working with Donald Ndebele, the owner of Sizinda South Beer Garden who assists us financially. Arrangements have been made to send the list of participants, what is left is camp for the boxers,’’ he said.

On the reason for having the tournament in Sizinda, Masiyambumbi said there was a realisation that it is an excellent venue with turnouts having been good.

“We have realised that Sizinda is a good venue, the turnout has been good and we are getting support from the community. Our aim is to take boxing to every community in Bulawayo and go back to the hey days where boxing was a top spot in Bulawayo. We still believe we can go back to those days. We would like to thank the owner of the venue, he has been really supportive,’’ Masiyambumbi said.