The Sunday News
Sisa Sihwa, Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Boxing Federation technical director Steven Masiyambumbi believes the future of Zimbabwean boxers looks brighter and promising.
Zimbabwe came third in the Zone 4 games after clinching two gold medals, three silver and the same number of bronze. South Africa came second in the regional amateur boxing competition, while the hosts Mozambique were the overall winners with five gold medals.
Botswana, South Africa, Seychelles, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe Swaziland and the hosts Mozambique were represented at the week-long games held in Maputo.
Masiyambumbi said he was impressed with the team’s exploits at the regional championships and is certain the future looks brighter in the sporting discipline.
“First of all I think it is very impressive and noteworthy that every member of our team managed to get a medal at the Zone 4 games considering that it was the first time for some to compete at the regional championships. Our team came third behind South Africa who registered a team of 15 participants, while we had eight. We could have bagged more medals had we travelled with many boxers,” said Masiyambumbi.
He said the tournament showed that the crop of boxers possess great potential and a rare talent.
“The regional championships proved to us that the current crop of amateur boxers we have possess great potential and rare talents in the sporting code, their exploits highlight brilliant future in boxing. Our team was at par with the top countries and I think we would have been first or second place if we had many boxers in our team,” he revealed.
The team made it to Mozambique through the resources of a certain individual boxing club after the country failed to send the boxers to the Zone 4 games.
Masiyambumbi urged boxing associations across the country to assist the Government instead of heavily relying on funding in order to fulfil participation in competitions.
“I encourage the boxing associations in the country to assist the Government and not largely depend upon funding from the Zimbabwe Boxing Federation (ZBF). We need to work together for the development and advancement of sport in the country,” he said.
