mbulelo smpofu
lovemore.dube, lovemore.dube@chronicle.co.uk
ANDERSON Sibanda believes there is a future in Bulawayo boxing and all that is required is good sponsorship to propel the sport to the next level.
Sibanda runs Lobengula Boxing Club which held its annual party and awards day at the suburb’s community centre on Saturday.
At an event attended by Isaiah Mpofu, the deputy director of sport in the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and boxing board official Adelaide Gumbo, several boxers were honoured.
The event was sponsored by Revival Motorways, a company that has backed the institution for the past decade.
“We are happy with the support we have received from our all-weather partners Revival Motorways, they have kept us going. Special mention goes to uMama uMrs Dube, her sons Romeo and Nkosi for their unwavering support to the club over the past 12 years. Boxing needs sponsorship and opportunities have to be there for the boxers to take and move to the next level.
“We are working hard as Lobengula Boxing Club to assist boxers. We are investing in young boxers because they are the future,” said Sibanda.
He said the objective is to emulate past generations that lifted Bulawayo’s flag high in boxing and what is encouraging is that the future is bright for the sport in the city.
Bulawayo has produced boxers like Ringo Star, Kid Power, Ambrose Mlilo, Bheki Mlilo, Forster and Stephen Masiyambumbi, Jay Nardo, Black Tiger, Sipho Moyo, Trust Ndlovu, Nokuthula Tshabangu, Fredrick Chisoro, Thamsanqa Dube, Elvis Moyo and Mleluleki Ngulube.
The Rookie of the Year award went to Sibusiso Gumede with the Most Disciplined Boxer going to Emmanuel Mlotshwa.
The Most Improved Boxer went to Tafadzwa Nkiwane with Mduduzi Ndlovu, the Boxers’ Boxer of the Year.
Ndlovu, a bright prospect, also scooped the Boxer of the Year award after several outstanding performances in the ring.
Perhaps the biggest winner materially was Mlotshwa whose school fees for next year will be paid by former Chronicle employee, Meluleki Sibanda who is based in the United Kingdom.
Not to be outdone, Botswana based boxing coach and former welterweight champion who represented Zimbabwe at several international events, Morris Chiwawula pledged to support all the club’s female boxers with toiletries every month next year.
Boxers’ mothers were presented with gifts for Christmas.
