ZNA dominate ZBF national champs

THE Zimbabwe National Army maintained their dominance at the Zimbabwe Boxing Federation national championships held over the weekend at Sizinda South Beer Garden in Bulawayo when their boxers emerged winners in most of the categories.

They dominated most bouts in the seniors, with Sydney Baloyi beating Luckmore Kamoto of Manicaland in the lightweight division, while Thomas Jojo emerged the winner in the light welterweight against Mollen Hunda from Bulawayo.

Admire Moyo got the better of Prince Makwindi from Masvingo to become the welterweight champion. The ZNA team went on to take the heavyweight category title when Tashinga Manyika defeated Bulawayo’s Mongameli Ngulube.

They also reigned supreme in the light flyweight division.

Their coach Alexander Kwangwari said having dominated most local events, they would have wanted to have their boxers competing outside the country.

“If we were getting funds, we could have dominated even outside.

“We have done this for a long time now, but funding is the challenge,” said Kwangwari.

With big events including the African Games coming next year, the national federation were using the tournament to pick potential candidates for the national team.

Kwangwari, who is also the national coach said while the competition locally has been improving, friendly matches against Zambian boxers could see them benefiting more.

“Local competition, I think its okay. If we can have friendly matches with Zambian boxers because they are much better as compared to (other) SADC (countries).

“They are much better. They can give us a bit of competition,” said Kwangwari.

ZBF technical director Steven Masiyambumbi was pleased with the turnout.

“The tournament was well attended because some of the boxers were new to us even though they have been fighting in provinces. “The boxers that came were eager to impress because we had told provinces that we were going to select the national team.

“So we said whoever failed to come must not complain if they are not picked for the national team. Everyone who fought and was crowned champion are the right people to represent the country.

“We don’t want a situation whereby we have a national event and then we go on to have a selection