ZIMBABWE Amature Boxing Association (Zaba) has recruited United Kingdom-based referee and judge Moses Makula to be one of the country’s certified match officials.
MUKUDZEI CHINGWERE SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Makula is making waves in the United Kingdom taking charge of big British matches. The former Zaba technical director is not able to take charge of international boxing matches as he needs to be certified by the International Boxing Association (Aiba).
Aiba only deals with national associations in accrediting match officials and Makula could not be accredited as a Briton. Last year he wrote to Zaba asking them to help him get international recognition and they have agreed to send him to a regional course slated for May in Botswana. Zaba secretary-general Goodwill Sibanda confirmed the deliberation made by his association.
“The board has sanctioned Makula to attain a Star One referees and Judges course to be held in Botswana,” continued Sibanda. “He will join a few local referees and judges who will be chosen to attend the course. After that course we will then send their names to Aiba for accreditation as international referees and judges.”
Makula said: “It is quite an honour that your country recognises you. I will be redoing a course that I already have. I have already attained the highest qualification though it is now an old badge which needs to be renewed. But above all it’s a convenience for me to do the course because I will be internationally certified again.”
Zaba has so far shortlisted seven referees and judges including Makula to attend the course. The other members are Dennis Mudhara, Ezwell Ndlovu, Willard Mupfurirwa, former Zaka House of Assembly member Festus Dumba, the association’s technical director Petros Masiyambumbi and his brother Steven.
