Nhau News Online News that is accurate, reliable, trustworthy!!
By Gilbert Munetsi recently in Chivhu
Chikomba Rural District Council has extended an invitation to boxing champion Charles Manyuchi for a round table meeting aimed at discussing an impasse that has delayed the establishment of a sports academy in the town.
The reigning WBF, WABA and WPBF world champion has wishes to establish a sports facility in this town that conferred him with brand ambassadorial status.
To complement his vision the local authority, through a full council resolution made five years ago, decided to offer Manyuchi a piece of land measuring 2.5ha. But the sticking point has been the question of tenure.
While the boxer assumed he was a sole beneficiary of the land, council has reiterated there has to be a partnership that also entitles a stake for the latter.
At a press conference convened at the council offices in Chivhu CBD (which was also attended by Manyuchi) recently, Chief Executive Officer Bullen Chiwara sought to set the record straight.
“There is a resolution to the effect that we want the academy, but the issue that’s before us is that of tenure.
“Resolution Number FC 53 (k) of 2016 mentions that there has to be a partnership between Mr Manyuchi and the local authority with regards to the ownership of the academy.
“It is true that pursuant to a full council meeting, there was a communique given to him (Manyuchi) pertaining to an offer of the land in question and this letter mentioned issues to do with the land being for free.
“However, the matter of this letter came to light in 2018 in an investigation mandated by the Ministry of Local Government to probe issues to do with land distribution and ownership in the local authority. That’s when it was noted a letter had been written to the champion offering him the land for free.”
According to Chiwara, after the Ministerial team’s presentation, the recommendation was that council ought to stick to the resolution of February 26, which highlighted the need for a partnership between the two parties.
“What it therefore entails is that as council we are coming in with the land and Manyuchi’s contribution is the investment of establishing the academy,” he said.
Previously, Manyuchi had sought legal help from Mtombeni law firm to expedite the issuance to him of a lease or deeds for the land cited as Number 8800 Chivhu.
And on his visit to State House to receive a US$10 000 monetary token from President Emmerson Mnangagwa for the July 3 victory over Muhammad Sebyala, he forwarded his concerns to the head of State who tasked some sports officials to look into the matter.
But CRDC feels the impasse can be handled mutually at domestic level.
“We are not against development of the academy. We are looking at the champion engaging the local leadership to find a home-grown solution,” said Chiwara who was flanked by the council chairman, Israel Dikinya and the District Development Coordinator, Michael Mariga.
Meanwhile the World Alliance Boxing Association has honoured Manyuchi by naming one of its belt after him.
The president of the sanction body, Onesmo Ngowi, told Nhau from Moshi, Tanzania that they are naming the WABA Supreme Middleweight title the “Ambassador Charles Manyuchi Belt”.
“This is in recognition of Ambassador Charles Manyuchi’s historic victory on July 3rd, 2021 in Masvingo, Zimbabwe, when he became the first boxer to ever win the WABA Supreme World Title.
“Ambassador Charles Manyuchi has already been appointed WABA Global Goodwill Ambassador for his role in championing the promotion of the sport of boxing in Zimbabwe, Africa and the world.
“WABA appreciates the role that Ambassador Charles Manyuchi has been playing and will collaborate with him to promote the sport of boxing around the world,” Ngowi said. Nhau/lndaba
