MWOS One Community backs ZBF boxing official course
MWOS One Community took centre stage in upgrading Zimbabwean boxing standards by funding a Zimbabwe Boxing Federation (ZBF) Refresher Course for referees and judges on Saturday.
The one-day amateur boxing workshop, held at iStream Studios at Borrowdale Racecourse in Harare, trained 15 officials—eight men and seven women—from Harare, Mashonaland West, and Mashonaland Central. The initiative drives continuous professional development and promotes gender parity within local boxing officiating.
Opening the workshop, MWOS One Community representative David McAllister emphasised the organisation’s focus on grassroots sports development.
“MWOS One Community exists to invest in the grassroots of Zimbabwean sport—not just the headline moments, but the foundations that make them possible,” said McAllister.
MWOS One Community representative David McAllister
“Officiating is one of those foundations. Well-trained, confident referees are what allow young fighters to compete safely, fairly and with the belief that the sport is run properly,” he said.
McAllister thanked course facilitator Takesure Kwangwari, as well as Jason Seremwe and iStream Studios for providing the venue. He further linked the training to MWOS One Community’s broader ambition of establishing professionally organised Fanzone Fight Night events.
“Great boxing needs great officiating, and that starts with the men and women in this room.
“Every well-judged bout protects the fighters, upholds the standard of the sport, and builds the trust that events like Fight Night are built on,” McAllister said.
Kwangwari stated the workshop aimed to align established officials with evolving international amateur boxing regulations.
“These are already qualified officials. However, we should keep on reminding them about the rules of the game,” he explained.
Course facilitator Takesure Kwangwari
Kwangwari described the referees and judges as the custodians of the tournament, noting that the integrity of any competition rests entirely on their competence.
“If we have good officials who really know and understand the rules, it automatically means that we have the finished product, which is the competition and how games are judged and the winners are determined,” he said.
The strategic training session was also attended by ZBF vice-president and referees committee chairperson Ennet Kanyara, as participants reviewed core technical aspects to ensure high-quality officiating.
