THE Boxing Federation of Tanzania (BFT) has announced a provisional squad of fifteen boxers who were to commence a non-residential training camp later yesterday in preparation for the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championship, scheduled to take place from March 8-17 in Nis, Serbia.

BFT secretary general Makore Mashaka stated that the 15 boxers were selected during the recent Samia Women’s Boxing Championship, held in Dar es Salaam late last month. 

He added that the final squad of twelve boxers for the Serbia championship will be selected based on performance during training sessions. 

The coaching panel is led by head coach Samuel Kapungu, assisted by Mzonge Hassan and Muhsin Mohammed.

Mashaka named the 15 boxers along with their respective clubs:

48kg: Veronika Thomas (MMJKT); 50kg: Latifa Said (JKT), Sarafina Fusi (NGOME); 52kg: Zulfa Macho (NGOME); 54kg: Tatiana Ezekiel (ZUGO); 57kg: Vumilia Kalinga (NGOME), Zawadi Amosi (MMJKT), Halima Vunjabei (NAKOZI); 60kg: Doricas Daudi (KWAME), Zulfa Iddi (ZOGO); 63kg: Najma Isike (TAIFA); 66kg: Consolata Laiza (POLISI ARUSHA); 75kg: Salma Michael (MWANZA); 81kg: Rachel Msingo (DODOMA), Mariam Msabila (KINYOGOLI)

Mashaka appealed for financial and material support for the team’s camp and trip to Serbia, emphasizing that BFT alone cannot manage the costs.

“We have named 15 women boxers, from which the coaching panel will select 12 to represent the country at the World Women’s Boxing Championship in Serbia next month. These boxers were chosen from the inaugural Samia Women’s Boxing Championship held last month in Dar es Salaam. 

“Due to financial challenges, the team will remain in a non-residential camp until we receive financial support from boxing stakeholders, companies, organizations, and individuals,” he said.

The championship in Serbia is expected to feature 500 female boxers from over 100 countries, competing in 12 weight categories. This will mark the second time Tanzanian female boxers compete at the World Women’s Championship, following their participation in the 2023 edition in New Delhi, India.

IBA has announced that the registration period for the competition will remain open until February 20, 2025.