HARARE - The Zimbabwe Boxing Committee (ZBC) yesterday forwarded names to Sports minister David Coltart of the individuals they are hoping will be co-opted into the Zimbabwe Board of Wrestling and Boxing Control (ZBWBC).  

Coltart dissolved the previous board led by Richard Hondo at the end of last year and is expected to announce the new board before end of this week.

The minister tasked the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) to come up with nominations for the board.
The SRC had already drawn up its list and submitted it to Coltart but this did not go down well with members of the boxing fraternity, who felt they were side-lined in the process.

This resulted in the birth of ZBC as boxing stakeholders came together to come up with names of persons they felt could add value into the soon to be announced board.

Headlining the ZBC’s list is the “Iron Lady” of local boxing, Lorraine Muringi, who has been earmarked for the post of chairperson.

Muringi, a former promoter with Ring Promotions, will bring a wealth of experience to the board if the ZBC recommendations are considered by Coltart.

She was very active in the boxing circles in the 1980s and 1990s before taking a back seat in recent years.

In 1992, Muringi was awarded the prestigious gong of Boxing Lady of the Year by the World Boxing Council for the sterling work she was doing to help develop the sport in the country.

She was also instrumental in helping set up the Zimbabwe Boxing Awards that were established in 1991.

Muringi also published the first ever local boxing manual in 1987 that is still being currently used until this day.

She also helped organise clinics for professional referees and judges in the 90s.

Another name on the list is that of Epworth Boxing Club promoter Thomas Kambuyi.

Kambuyi has been one of the stalwarts of Zimbabwe boxing for many years as he has worked both as a trainer and a promoter.

Some of the most notable fighters the country has produced have come through Kambuyi’s hands.

McDonald McDade has also been included on the list and has been earmarked to take up the position of treasurer.

It is not yet clear whether Coltart will consider some of these individuals in the new board he is going to announce as he had previously stated that he will only choose from the list he was given by the SRC. - Sports Writer