IT’S just a little over a week before the hugely anticipated World Boxing Union (WBU) bantamweight world title fight between local boxer Tapiwa Tembo and Zambian opponent Gibon Kamota set for Harare early next month but organisers are still battling to secure enough funds for the historic fight.
HENRY MHARA SPORTS REPORTER
South Africa-based Tembo and Kamota will battle it out in a 12-round bout on Saturday next week at the City Sports Centre – the first time such a bout will be held in this country.
Initially billed to take place this Saturday, the bout had to be postponed to next week because the venue was already booked. Local boxing promoter Clyde Musonda of Deltaforce Sports Trust had wanted this fight to meet world-class standards.
In his planning, he wanted to hire a “proper” boxing ring from South Africa while internationally-acclaimed judges and officials for the bout were supposed to be drawn from all over the world.
A budget of $90 000 had originally been drawn up, but sponsors did not respond in the way he had anticipated. It now looks like Musonda’s dream will remain just that, a dream.
“This is the first time we would be hosting such a big event and we wanted to make it a world-class thing, but the sponsors have not responded in a way we had anticipated. We were forced to cut the budget to $55 000. We have managed to secure three quarters of the materials we want like the venue, the PA system, accommodation and food for the fighters and other guests,” Musonda said.
Musonda said they still need at least $15 000 in airfares for Kamota, the match commissioner Arthur Ellensohn from Switzerland and other officials coming from Zambia.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The bout was supposed to be handled by Arno Pokrandt, but the German national has been struck off the list, and so has Ugandan Rogers Senyango who was supposed to come in as one of four judges, due to the financial problems.
Instead, a referee will now be picked from a four-member panel of judges which has two Zambians Astrida Mwale and William Sikerepi and locals Patrick Mukondiwa and John Gova.
“Kamoto and all the other officials are supposed to be here by Wednesday next week and we need to foot all these costs. We are yet to get money for their airfares, so we are appealing to the government, the business community and individuals to help us,” Musonda said.
“We cannot miss this opportunity of hosting such a big event. Our national pride is at stake here and every Zimbabwean should play his part to make this a success.”
