Former World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver welterweight champion Charles Manyuchi wants to accelerate the promotion of grassroots boxing across the country in 2026.
The respected boxer is already in the process of establishing a boxing academy in Chivhu, where he was gifted a large piece of land by the local council.
Through the Charles Manyuchi Boxing Academy Promotion, Manyuchi is among the organisers of the Trabablas Gloves On Boxing Tournament, which is set to be staged in all 10 provinces of the country.
The inaugural edition of the tournament was held in Chivhu last November.
“We are not turning back on our desire to uplift young boxers across the country.
“President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared drug abuse among the youth a national disaster, and we believe boxing can play a key role in combating this scourge.
“At the same time, Government has a vision of attaining an upper-middle-income economy by 2030, and we want to align ourselves with that vision.
“Boxing should leave no place and no one behind,” said Manyuchi.
He added that his goal is to see more children take up boxing, adding that plans are underway to engage the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to strengthen the sport in schools.
Manyuchi also believes that Kirsty Coventry’s position as International Olympic Committee (IOC) president should give Zimbabwe greater leverage on the global sporting stage.
