Midlands Correspondent
BULAWAYO, Midlands and Masvingo boxing teams head to Chivhu for tomorrow’s Zimbabwe Boxing Federation (ZBF) national championships, while other provinces were set to submit their lists by yesterday.
The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), which has dominated the championships in recent years, has also confirmed their participation in the tournament and will field a team comprising Ndodana Moyo, Josphat Mufai and Last Magare.
ZBF secretary-general Goodwill Sibanda said everything was now in place for the staging of the boxing jamboree that will feature 45 bouts.
“National championships are for boxers that have fought through the year and to prove their championship mettle. Being a champion qualifies you to fight for the country internationally, and as a result, we can’t just pick any person,” said Sibanda.
“We are expecting to have a good outing because some of the country’s top boxers have confirmed their participation. With a new crop of boxers emerging, upsets can’t be ruled out in Chivhu.”
Apart from the championship fights, Sibanda said there would be female and junior bouts that will be held as supporting fights.
The quintet of Tread Nkomozabo (flyweight), a gold medalist at the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games, Chenjerai Makanyire (bantamweight), Liberty Muhwani (middleweight), Lionel Sydney Green (light-heavyweight), and Petros Machokoto (light flyweight), who fought in Zambia as part of commemorations to mark that country’s 54th independence, will also take part in the national championships.