History As First Woman Is Appointed Boxing Chair

By Gilbert Munetsi in Victoria Falls

For the first time in Zimbabwe boxing history, the sport will be led by a female following the announcement of the Boxing and Wrestling Control Board by Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister Dr. Kirsty Coventry yesterday.

Dr. Coventry announced that business administrator Vee Chibanda will now lead the new board at a press conference held at the Kingdom Hotel in Victoria Falls.

It had now been close to three years without a boxing commission in place, compelling all matters to be handled by a secretariat.

The appointments were done in line with the Boxing and Wrestling Control Act (Chapter 25:02) that gives the Minister the prerogative to choose not less than five people to handle policy matters pertaining to the sport.

Others members are Annie Zulfiqar, Hazel Zisanhi, Robert Gonye, Dr Munyaradzi Mujuru, Request Machimbira, Peter Mudzimuri and former boxing champion-turned referee, Diana Makumbe.

The board, which is yet to hold an inaugural meeting from which a vice chairperson will be chosen, has four men and an equal number of women drawn from the Midlands, Mashonaland East, Masvingo, Mashonaland West, Harare and Manicaland.

While boxing itself has a representative in (Diana) Makumbe, the rest of the members represent other sectors which include legal, medical, Finance and Banking, Strategic Leadership, Human Resources Management and Business Management.

The Minister said there was room for consultation among the newly sworn in team to add the number while ensuring other provinces are included and more sectors represented.

“You will note that there is good regional representation and gender equity in the team and, of-course there is a good mix of diverse backgrounds. It is my hope that this board will drive the different sectors of the sport forward and open new doors for the boxers.

“The ladies and gentlemen have confirmed to me their commitment to come together as one team and work hand in glove with the `secretariat and that way they will be able to accomplish even more.

“Let me hasten to add that the board has the capacity to get a little bit bigger to ensure we have representatives from across all provinces,” she said.

Among other key tasks the board is seized with are a review of the Boxing and Wrestling Control Act which was put in place in 1956, as well as mental health and the transitioning of athletes from being active into retirement.

In her acceptance speech, the youthful Chibanda said her wish and that of her team was to grow the sport.

“From what I see and understand, boxing will be a major contributor to our social and economic environment.

“We also want our athletes to be people who become active in sport and continue to live in society in a respectable environment. We do understand our mandate and, rest assured, we will achieve our goals, especially with a team in secretariat already running. It is quite inspiring to be a member of a group of people who have a passion for what they do. Together we will cross boundaries and break new ground,” she said. Nhau/Indaba