Harare Boxing Association convenes AGM, elects n...

Harare Boxing Association convenes AGM, elects new office bearers

Gilbert Munetsi

The Harare Boxing Association, an affiliate of the Zimbabwe Boxing Federation, last weekend held its Annual General Meeting at which a new executive was ushered into office.

With the ballot having been presided over by the national executive, the new committee has a four-year mandate that expires at the end of 2027.

While three members were retained into the new executive, it is the inclusion of new chairman, Thomas Kambuyi, and technical director Issa Phiri that is expected to help revive fortunes of a province once considered the backbone of amateur boxing in Zimbabwe in the yesteryear.

Other members making up the board are Kingstone Jokonya who bounced back as secretary-general and Faith Whata who is now the vice-chairperson. Shereni received confidence of the house by being retained as treasurer.

Over the years, a plethora of challenges have been devilling the association among them death of a member, lack of a quorum and the outbreak, for two years, of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Against such background, Harare had lost its glamour on the domestic championships platform and when it came to selection of boxers to regional, continental and international assignments.

The new chairman, Kambuyi, said his association will hit the ground running, beginning with ensuring Harare hosted a number of tournaments during the course of the year. He was, however, quick to note that there ought to be a firm foundation on which programmes will be built.

Kambuyi, in an interview said they will hold an induction workshop for the new board so that every office bearers are familiar with the new terrain.

“Harare will embark on sound developmental coaching courses, referees and judges’ courses as well as inter-club tournaments.

“We shall also revisit the schools and college boxing development programs just like we pioneered our pilot projects at Prince Edward, Churchill, Tafara 1 High, Mbare High and Epworth High.

“Grassroots boxing is the way to go. When one notices the calibre and quality of our boxers both at open boxing and professional leaves, they will find it leaves a lot to be desired. Harare used to produce good amateurs in the mould of the Takudzwa Kuchocha, Peter Pambeni and Tawanda Chigwida to name but a few.

“We therefore really expect this board to be the busiest as I have challenged the elected office bearers to go back home and see what value they shall bring to Harare Boxing in order for us to be back where we were,” Kambuyi said.

He added his association will also engage with the SRC Provincial offices to see how best to work on synergies.

“We need to see how we can access the development grants in-order to equip these community clubs, provision of recreational facilities and equipment either at municipal level or governmental.”