adminin Hwange.
The championships have been slated for November 5 at Lwendulu Hall with all the provinces expected to compete.
Last year six provinces – Mashonaland East, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Bulawayo, Midlands and ZNA – took part in the event.
The fighters will battle it out in the lightweight, light-welter-weight, bantamweight, flyweight, featherweight, middleweight, light-heavy-weight, heavyweight and super-heavyweight category.
Zaba technical director, Petros Masiyambumbi, said they were hoping that all provinces will compete in this year’s edition.
“We are expecting all provinces to be represented including the army.
“Invitations have been sent out to the provinces and we have also invited the air force to send a team that will participate on their own.
“Each province is expected to send 18 fighters including eight females,” said Masiyambumbi.
Masiyambumbi said the event will be used to select boxers who will take part in the Olympic qualifiers scheduled for Morocco next year in March.
“The province will be hoping to prepare their fighters for the Olympic qualifiers starting in March.
“We are also hoping to get a second qualifier in the region for Zone four.
“The Zimbabwe national army are the current defending champions and have been dominating for the past six years but this year we are looking forward to a tough competition.
“There will be upcoming boxers and who are going to challenge the title holders.
“Our expectations are so high because everybody wants to be selected for the Olympic qualifiers. We are hoping to send 10 boxers but money will determine how many fighters we will take.
“Whoever does well will be selected.
“Currently we are legging behind in terms of competition because of lack of resources we cannot participate in some events and when we compete we won’t have a complete team. Some countries will have their boxers for all the 10 weight categories and when they go back they help in the development of the sport because they have the experience and exposure” said Masiyambumbi.
ZNA, who are the defending champions, will come in as the favourites and will be out to defend their title having dominated the championships for more than five years.
Online Reporter