Zim Now Writer
Barely two months after appointment to the Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board, one commissioner, Diana Makumbe, has tendered her resignation.
In her letter seen by Zim Now Makumbe expressed misgivings to directive by the Sports Minister, Kirsty Coventry, that the board should fundraise for the title defence of WBC interim bantamweight champion Kudakwashe Chiwandire who will face Mexican boxer Zulina Munoz at the HICC on October 1.
According to the Boxing and Wrestling Control Act (Chapter 25.2) the mandate of a boxing board is to sanction, control and have supervision over tournaments.
It cannot promote and that is what Makumbe is objecting to.
https://zimbabwenow.co.zw/articles/303/minister-kirsty-coventry-please-spare-a-thought-for-our-gems
Makumbe, a top boxing referee and judge is a former bantamweight champion who has represented the country in Zambia, South Africa and Malawi, among other countries in the region.
In her letter of resignation, she also cited lack of professionalism and favouritism in how the board is running. She zeroed in on a duty tour to Chivhu where she had to scrounge for accommodation.
She said she was put up by a generous family in a high density suburb while her compatriots were booked at the Phil-Jen Country Lodges.
The boxing board chairperson, to whom the resignation letter was addressed, advised Makumbe to copy Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry in her capacity as the appointing authority.
The board that took the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation three years to put in place, was finally unveiled on the side lines of a World Boxing Council and African Boxing Union Convention held in Victoria Falls at the end of July.
Headed by business administrator Vee Sibanda has members drawn from the various provinces across the country. They are Annie Zulfiqar, Hazel Zisanhi, Robert Gonye, Dr Munya Mujuru, Request Machimbira and Peter Mudzimi.
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