The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube
THE resort town of Victoria Falls will this weekend reverberate to the frays of international boxing with pugilists from three countries set to exchange blows.
The Victoria Falls Boxing Academy (ZBF) expects over 60 fighters from Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia to troop into the resort town for the International Amateur Boxing Tournament scheduled for 26 May at the Rest Camp Imvuvu.
Academy chairman, Tobias Muposina said with boxing action having last taken place over a year ago at the resort town they went all out to engage sponsors to ensure the tourney comes to fruition.
He said they had been looking to the Zimbabwe Boxing Federation to assist them have some action but with nothing coming from the mother-body they had to act.
“We last held a tournament on 25 March last year and despite efforts to host a tourney we have been hitting brick walls but luckily some sponsors came forward to assist us.
“We are looking forward to an exciting tourney as it involves boxers across three countries and we are working closely with the ZBF as we finalise the list of boxers that will be the action on the night,” said Muposina.
He said the lull in boxing had a negative effect on the rise of boxing in Vic Falls and there is hope local boxers will get a lift from engaging foreign boxers.
Muposina said ring rust had crept into their boxers but he is confident they will be able to put up a good showing against foreign opponents.
He said they are liaising with ZBF’s Stephen Masiyambumbi to finalise the list of boxers from the three countries that will take part in the event.
Pugilists from the resort town that are expected to take part in the showcase include Phineas Makuvza (welterweight), Carlos Wade (light welterweight), ten-year-old Prince Urengwa (pin weight), Personal Mpofu (pin), Ntando Nyongolozi (bantamweight), Mthandazo Mpofu (welterweight), Blessing Shoko (middleweight) and Brian Kamungenjo (welterweight).
The tourney comes on the backdrop of efforts by Government to turn Vic Falls into an international sports tourism hub.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Prisca Mupfumira was quoted stressing that Government has engaged an investor that has expressed interests in bringing motorsport to Zimbabwe.
She said there is a serious proposal for a grand prix facility.
Victoria Falls is a venue for two major international sporting events, the Kwese Victoria Falls Sevens Rugby and the Victoria Falls Marathon.
