By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
MATABELELAND South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Albert Nguluvhe, has identified boxing as a key tool in the fight against drug and substance abuse among young.
Nguluvhe made the observation following a visit by former International Boxing Federation (IBF) Welterweight World Champion Kell Brook to the province.
Brook was in Gwanda on Monday for a “Meet and Greet Zimbabwe” engagement that brought together boxing stakeholders, aspiring athletes and community leaders.
The visit included interactions with local boxing clubs and academies, providing young boxers with an opportunity to learn from one of the sport’s most accomplished professionals.
In an update on his Official Whatsapp Channel, Nguluvhe said sport has an important role to play in youth empowerment and social development, particularly in steering young people away from drug and substance abuse.
He said that boxing promotes discipline, healthy lifestyles, self-confidence and positive community engagement.
Nguluvhe highlighted the province’s rich boxing talent, saying Matabeleland South is home to seven professional boxers and about 100 amateur boxers spread across its districts.
However, he acknowledged that the sport continues to face challenges, including inadequate funding, limited training infrastructure, shortages of equipment and insufficient investment.
The visit by Brook also shone a spotlight on the need to improve sporting facilities and create more opportunities for local athletes to compete and develop their skills.
During the engagement, Nguluvhe paid tribute to late boxing icon Ndodana Ncube for his contribution to the growth of the sport and stressed the importance of strengthening athlete welfare systems to support boxers throughout their careers.
Nguluvhe called for stronger collaboration between Government, local authorities, the private sector and development partners to establish modern boxing facilities, support local competitions and improve access to medical, travel and welfare assistance for athletes.
He also appealed for greater international exposure for talented boxers from Matabeleland South, with the aim of enabling them to compete on regional and global stages.
Brook’s visit forms part of broader efforts to use sport as a vehicle for youth development, social inclusion and economic empowerment, while creating opportunities for talented young athletes to realise their potential.