Schedule for Bulawayo from December 4-14, the games are set to give aspiring pugilists a platform to prove their talents. They come after calls by stakeholders to have more competitive tournaments in the sport that can put the country on the map.
ZABA Secretary General, Goodwill Sibanda, said his association was lighting mid-night candles to ensure that the nation got recognition in the region.
“We obviously want to build a competitive side. Our wish is to perform exceptionally well in those games. Zimbabwe’s boxing history is good, so we need to hold it tight,” said Sibanda. As a preparatory measure, his association recently organised a tournament that attracted more than 100 boxers, including those from the Army.
“We are building a very strong team. We are also doing our preparations with another eye looking at deadlines for registrations of our players and also ensuring that all the athletes have passports because it is a requirement.” Meanwhile, two top boxers, Tawanda Chigwida and Misheck Kondwane, have been struck off the register by the National Boxing Board of Control.
That means the duo will not be allowed to fight under the board or in Zimbabwean colours. Kondwane, who has failed to win the Commonwealth title in a number of attempts, and lightweight boxer Chigwida were delisted after they demanded their $25 registration fees back following the refusal by the Zimbabwe National Boxing Board of Control to clear them to fight in World Professional Boxing Federation Africa title fights in Zambia.
The secretary of the Board of Control, Gilbert Munesti, said the two boxers were arrogant to come to their offices demanding back their annual registration fees. The board’s refusal to sanction the Africa title fights was partly because the two boxers were dealing with a suspended promotional company, Delta Force Boxing Trust, for their Zambian fights.
The board also found no merit for the two boxers to be lined up to fight in Zambia, when the rules of the World Professional Boxing Federation were clear that only boxers who have won their past three fights should contest.
“Kondwane has lost 13 fights in a row, while Chigwida has lost his past three fights. So they were not qualified to challenge these titles,” said Munetsi.
Post published in: News