Its Game On! Take Money’s Mexican Challenger Jets ...

Its Game On! Take Money’s Mexican Challenger Jets in Sunday

Gilbert Munetsi

The Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (ZNBWCB) has announced the opponent for Kudakwashe Chiwandire for the World Boxing Council (WBC) interim super-bantamweight title defence will jet into the country on Sunday, October 9.

Four days later on October 13 Zulina Munoz, the Mexican champion challenger, will undergo weigh in together with Chiwandire and the other boxers on the undercard, with the contest happening on Friday, October 14. The venue still remains the Harare International Conference Centre.

Government, through the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation and the ZNBWCB, has had to intervene and save the situation following challenges that were faced by promoter Delta Force Academy to bankroll the event.

The amount treasury has chipped in with could, however, not be quantified at the time of going to press with the boxing commission chairperson, Vee Chibanda, telling Zim Now:

“Government is wholly sponsoring all that is key to ensure the success of the tournament. We are still working on the due diligence on the budget. Right now I cannot give you a figure. The team is working flat out on all that is required,” she said.

In a statement released earlier during the day, the board noted the fact that “Take Money” was defending her title on home soil was a very important milestone and a crucial step towards her quest for the world championship.

“Motivated by the need to empower the girl child, the Government of Zimbabwe has moved in to provide the crucial financial support for hosting this historic event and allow Chiwandire a chance to defend her title.

“The hosting of this tournament profiles Zimbabwe as a sports tourism destination of choice, allowing the combat sport sector to effectively contribute to the growth of our economy.

“The nation has been anxiously waiting for an official position on the much-anticipated fight featuring our very own champion… we take this opportunity to invite all Zimbabweans to come in their numbers to support our champion,” read the statement.

Against the background of the involvement of other stables such as the Charles Manyuchi Academy in the provision and financing of boxers for supporting bouts, Chibanda called on all boxing stakeholders to join forces in defending the national pride.

“Globally, boxing is recognized as a sport which is contributing significantly to the Gross Domestic Product of various economies. The ZNBWCB is cognizant of the need to create an environment that ensures the development of combat sport in Zimbabwe.

“The board is looking into putting in measures to build capacities and competences of all licensees so as to position combat sport as a vehicle for socio-economic transformation,” said the board.