The president of the Zimbabwe Boxing Federation, Festus Dumbu has heaped praises on the Lowveld region for producing a number of professionals during a press conference held at Tracey recreational gardens last week.
By Stanford Chivale
Dumbu said the Lowveld region has over the years produced stars from their academies such as the famous Charles Manyuchi, Tinashe Majoni, Bongani Makovere and Freeman Mabvongwe, who have went against all odds to represent the country.
“The Lowveld academies have produced international fighters who have went on to represent Zimbabwe even when it was hard.” said Dumbu.
Dumbu also mentioned that they have 5 fighters who were only left with one international fight to qualify for the ongoing Tokyo Olympics.
“We have 5 fighters from the Lowveld region who were left with only one international fight qualify for the current Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“The 5 athletes were Trade Nkomozano (flyweight), Mandlenkosi Marusenga (bantam weight), Petros Machokoto (feather weight), Leonard Gambiza (light fly weight) and Prosperous Basket (female lightweight).
Musarenga from Mutonhori High School in Zaka West constituency was a shining star in 2019 when he beat Marshall Shiri of Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) at the 2019 Zimbabwe Boxing Federation National Boxing Championships held on 9 November at the Gibbo Boxing Arena in Triangle to claim the big prize.
According to Dumbu, the Lowveld region has 2 major boxing arenas sited in Triangle and Hippo Valley and has vibrant academies at a number of schools such as Terry Goss, Mfakose, Mlemi and Hippo Valley. He also highlighted the categories that are used for training purposes.
“We have 2 major boxing arenas, one at Hippo Valley and the other at Triangle. We also have training academies at schools such as Terry, Mfakose, Hippo and Mlemi.”
“We have under 15s and under 18s who will be in the schools. We have professional boxers or coaches who teach the identified talents to be a professional boxers in those schools ”. he said.
“It has been in record that Masvingo dominated in Zimbabwean boxing as it has come out victorious many times.” Said Dumbu.
However lack of sponsorship has been hindering the ZBF ambitions and up to date, they haven’t received any Covid-19 relief funding from the Sports Recreation Commission and they are currently on a forced sabbatical due to the lockdown.
