Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Boxing Federation is set to conduct their final selection of the team to compete at the African Union Sports Region Five Youth Games later this year when they host a National Open tournament in Bulawayo on April 26.
The one-day event is scheduled for Manor Hotel and all provinces are expected to take part, including the Zimbabwe National Army.

ZBF technical director, Petros Masiyambumbi, said preparations for the tournament were already underway and they were optimistic of a good turnout compared to the two previous events they have held so far with the first one being a flop.

“This tournament is for juniors, youths, seniors and females. It’s the final selection for the Africa Union Youth Games.

“This time we are expecting a big number of participants because we have contacted all provinces, including ZNA, who are going to also send their female fighters. We are expecting 30 boxers per province and participants will compete in all weight categories.

“We have 10 weight categories for the seniors starting for the light flyweight to super heavyweight while for the females it’s going to be 13 from pin weight to heavy weight and 10 for the juniors.

“The very first tournament we had people were not prepared since they were coming from holiday so you can actually notice that in the second tournament we had a big number but now all provinces had ample time to prepare their teams and most of them have confirmed their participation,” said Masiyambumbi.

The ZBF technical director said soon after the tournament the team will go into a camp to be hosted by the Sports Commission.

“They want us to have a pre-camp for all the people we have selected who are on the long list.

“Besides those Games we are expecting the youths to go and participate in the Anoca Games in May, they are part and parcel of our programme. We have a long list of 27 boxers and we are saying the final best will come from those 27. We wanted to have our own camp but I think they (SRC) are taking the opportunity to have the camp during the holiday.  In August we will have another camp before or after the National Youth Games,” said Masiyambumbi.

Sports Commission corporate communications officer, Tirivashe Nheweyembwa, confirmed the camp and said it’s set for April 27 to May 2 but they are yet to finalise on the venue.

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