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Mzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
UP TO 100 pugilists are set to trade leather at the Zimbabwe Amateur Boxing Association (Zaba) final national team selection tournament at Manor Hotel in Bulawayo on Saturday.Zaba is preparing for the forthcoming African Union Sports Council Region Five Under-20 Games that will be held in Bulawayo from December 4-14 this year.

Over 100 boxers from all over the country are expected to attend what  should be a feast of furious punching in the ring as boxers battle it out for national recognition.

Zaba technical director Petros Masiyambumbi said the stage was set for the final selection.

“We have invited all the provinces including the Zimbabwe National Army for the final selection for the team to represent the country in the Region Five Games in December,” said Masiyambumbi.

He said they are in a hurry to finalise the long list so that athletes can get accredited on time and acquire passports as per tournament requirements.

“It is required that all athletes taking part in the Youth Games should have passports which date six months before the event, so we have until May to send those without passports to the Registrar-General, because the rules are strict,” said Masiyambumbi.

Masiyambumbi said those who missed the first round qualifiers have a chance to be among the list to represent the country.

“Everyone is invited and we are expecting a good number of boxers, even those  who missed the national championships     have another opportunity to compete,” he said.

The Zaba director also revealed that they had made a special request for the inclusion of female boxers in the Region Five Games.

“We have written to the regional body, requesting inclusion of female boxers to the competition, now we are waiting for the response,” he said.

Bulawayo will be expected to add to their tally of eight boxers they have contributed to the long list so far.

Among those are Cecil Toto, Prosper Shumba, Nompumelelo Queen, Samson Masiyambumbi, Andile Ncube, Bright Ayenziwe Ndlovu and Emmanuel Katsaruware.

Matabeleland South has three, Farai Mukambi, Dignity Ncube and Loyd Muiibikwa while Matabeland North has only one, Justice Dube.