SHARON NYAYA
MBERENGWA-As the fight against the scourge of drug and substance abuse among the youths the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation Mberengwa District is not being left behind as they chipped in by holding boxing outreach tournament at Skyz Highway Mall.
The thrilling tournament which left fans calling for more was held on Saturday night 29 April 2023 at the upmarket Skyz Highway Mall.
The event was organised by the Zimbabwe Boxing and Wrestling Controlling Board through its outreach program which they are rolling out throughout the country to fight drug and substance abuse by the youth.
The main promoter of the tourney was ex top cop, Mberengwa businessman and owner of Skyz Highway Mall, Achiford Gamunorwa. It was said to be a talent identification tournament and also a marketing strategy to promote boxing in marginalized areas.
Sport and Recreation programs officer in the Ministry of Youth Sport Arts and Recreation Mberengwa District, Obert Madhiri said, they intend to grow sport at grassroots level by formation and registration of combat sport clubs in wards, training coaches from community and school level, technical training of officials at district level, engaging promoters to fund developmental and professional tournaments in the district.
Madhiri added that the Boxing and Wrestling Controlling Board is currently running an online and physical registration and licensing process for professional boxers.
“Our baseline for 2023 is 90 boxers. Nationally the state of combat sport facilities is not up to standard. Efforts are being made in the engagement of local authorities who own most of these facilities to give them a facelift and make them user friendly.
“Local authorities and private players are encouraged to invest in mobile rings and cages for combat sport which are user friendly and can be used indoors and outdoors as well as being used as multi-purpose stages ensuring quick returns to the investor.
“The community should embrace combat sport alongside other popular sport codes such as football, netball, athletics and darts,” remarked Madhiri.
Gweru city council boxing club coach, Pascal Mujuru commented that, they were happy to have all age groups at their boxing club because it will keep them occupied. He said they don’t use drugs in boxing, it’s just like a religion, it needs commitment and faith. He said it’s a discipline on itself because it controls most of your time when you start it and a lot of dedication is needed.
“More than 20 boxers participated from different boxing clubs; airforce, Josiah Tongogara, Magamba, Gweru City Council, Kwekwe and Mberengwa.
“The tournament was very successful, we left Mberengwa crying for more tournaments and we hope we will have another one later this year at the same venue.
“I have got three sons that participated and are taking boxing as a profession namely; Tinashe Ziwakaya, Ashington Ziwakaya and Alfred Ziwakaya. Tinashe and Alfred were on the Zimbabwean team that was supposed to participate in region five games in Malawi last year December, unfortunately they couldn’t make it because they didn’t have passports.
“Ashington Ziwakaya is already known champion in Zimbabwe,” said Midlands provincial boxing coach, Vengai Ziwakaya.
Anotida Tsvetai of Kwekwe Boxing Club won on points, Bornface Mundido of Kwekwe Boxing Club won by default as his opponent was disqualified, Ronald Chitengu of Gweru City boxing club won on points.
Tinashe Ziwakaya of Kwekwe boxing club won on technical knock out (TKO),Tatenda Chagwedera of Chegutu boxing club won on points, Emmanuel Mashiri of Mberengwa won by TKO, Issa Dhorobha of Kwekwe boxing club won on points, Tanastwa of Mkoba boxing club won by TKO, J Ngwenya of Pitbull boxing club won on points, Tafadzwa Muzvondiwa of Kwekwe boxing club won by TKO.
Luckmore Chitsanga of Kwekwe boxing club won by walk over (WO), Last Mkwenga of Kwekwe boxing club won on points, Alfred Ziwakaya of Kwekwe boxing club won on points, Ashington Ziwakaya of Kwekwe boxing club won by TKO.
Edmos Takawira a renowned boxer graced the event as well to give morale to the upcoming artists. He encouraged all boxers present that even great boxers like retired Charles Manyuchi or the late Proud Kilimanjaro Chinembiri started small like them.
Mberengwa boxers who participated were hamstrung by lack of practice and equipment to adequately prepare for the tournament hence only one boxer managed to win.
Zanu PF losing candidate for Mberengwa Central Sam “Samalo” Ncube offered his equipment for the budding boxers to use at his gym as part of growing the sport and keeping youth away from societal vices.
He added that those interested in darts, snooker, chess and other indoor sports are welcome at Skyz Highway Mall.
