ZIMBABWE will be represented by 10 boxers during the Zone IV Championships slated for June 10-15 in Gaborone, Botswana.
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Zimbabwe Amateur Boxing Association (ZABA) named the squad yesterday, dominated by debutants on international arena with only Brighton Masiyambumbi having represented Zimbabwe before.
ZABA technical director Petros Masiyambumbi expressed confidence in the squad, adding that they have opted for fresh blood as they are building a team for the future.
“We are building a squad to compete at the Olympics to be held in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, and by then they will have gained the much-needed international exposure. I have confidence in the squad and I can assure the nation that they will bring medals. “We were overwhelmed by the turnout of players during trials and there was stiff competition for places, but the door is still wide open for those who have been left out for future assignments” he said.
The squad is made up of Regis Zhokinyu (lightweight), Clayton Sibanda (lightweight), Brighton Masiyambumbi (welterweight), Partson Mutengwa (bantamweight), Freeman Hungwe (flight weight), Vincent Hungwe (light and heavyweight), Sandy Mbiza (light lightweight), Justice Dube (feather weight) and Ndodana Moyo (middleweight).
Two boxers Beaven Nyamondera (bantamweight) and Steven Masiyambumbi (Bantamweight) could not be part of the squad as they will be attending a referees and judges’ course in Kenya.
Welterweight pugilist Brighton Masiyambumbi is the country’s biggest hope for a gold medal. The welterweight fighter, ranked sixth in his category on the continent, is, according to the ZABA technical director, expected to live up to his billing against his regional counterparts.
