Mukumba rescues Rusape heavyweight champ
THIRTY-YEAR-OLD Rusape-based national heavyweight reigning champion, Anesu Motsi, who will be in Victoria Falls tomorrow (Saturday) to fight for the right to represent Zimbabwe in the new Mandela African Boxing Cup, received a timely boost to his mission after Mutare’s Lenon Quality Hotel and Inter Africa Bus Company proprietor, Léonard Mukumba gave him US$2 000 cash.
The Mandela African Boxing Cup will take place from April 15 to 21.
The Victoria Falls fight will be held on a round robin format,with the winner set to qualify for the South Africa competition.
Speaking during the handover ceremony in Mutare yesterday (Thursday), Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Misheck Mugadza said: “We have no words that can exactly describe the gratitude we have for businessmen like Mukumba. They are mindful of the need to assist the community around them. My God richly bless their works so that they continue helping those in need of their assistance.”
Mukumba said he is only motivated by the need to support and assist people from his home area.
“I think my only motivation is the need to assist and support people from my home area. I am from Manicaland and that will never change. Where we see the need and in a position to assist, we will duly assist.
“I really wish the young man well in his forthcoming fight in Victoria Falls and later in South Africa at the Mandela Cup. I have no doubt that he will make us proud, not only as a province, but as a nation,” said Mukumba.
Motsi said: “I am the reigning heavyweight category champion in the country and my hope is to retain that for a long time to come. I will give my best shot during the Victoria Falls fight so that I will be able to represent the country in South Africa.”
Motsi, who has represented Zimbabwe in a number of tournaments within and outside the African continent, heartily thanked Mugadza and Mukumba for the financial assistance.
“I have been doing everything on my own for a long time now and even though I am happy with the progress I have made. I really want to thank Mugadza and Mukumba and for this financial assistance.
“I feel I have the potential to make the country proud,and I badly need the support of everyone to realise this dream, especially the corporate sector. For the record, in my 14 years as a boxer, this is the first time that I have received such kind of assistance. I am truly humbled,”said Motsi.
After failing to make it to the African Boxing Championships in Cameroon, hopes are high that the country will be able to assemble a team that will make it to the new Mandela African Boxing Cup.