The ManicaPost
Fungayi Munyoro Sports Correspondent
MANICALAND will host the Manicaland Classic Body Building contest at Holiday Inn on September 2.
The contest is open to participants from across the country. Manicaland Body Building Fitness Association is hosting this event for the first time after hosting similar contests at provincial level.
Participants will take part in four categories. The categories are senior men bodybuilding open, junior men bodybuilding Under-23, men’s fitness and women’s bikini. The registration fee is $10.
Manicaland Bodybuilding Fitness Association secretary-general Siba Guzha said they were happy to host the event for the first time. He added that they were expecting many athletes from outside the province.
“We are hosting the Manicaland Classic for the first time in history. We have been having a lot of activity but at provincial level. We have decided to up the gear.
“We are expecting 30 plus athletes. So far we have participants coming as far as from Harare, Marondera, Kwekwe, Bulawayo and our local based athletes,” he said.
The occasion will be graced by the current Mr Zimbabwe Paul Goredema. Registrations will start from 2pm to 3:30pm. From 4pm-5pm, all the participants will go under pre-judging then the event will start at 6pm till 10pm. Participants like Mr Iron Man Blessing Saunyama and the current Zimbabwe Fitness Champion Chamunorwa Marange will be expected among the line-up.
Guzha bemoaned lack of sponsorship as a hindrance to the development of the sport in the province.
“We are trying by all means to attract sponsorship and we hope this event will attract some individuals who will sponsor us. We are working and trying to change the face of bodybuilding in our province. We want all our athletes to become professionals.
“We will also work on them to be able to take part in international contests. We are now affiliated with the mother body National Federation of Zimbabwe Bodybuilding and Fitness. We are also registered with the World Bodybuilding Federation,” he said.
Guzha said he will be hoping for a better line-up in the ladies ‘category.
“We are expecting a better line-up in the ladies’ category as they are willing to participate. The idea is to have all our athletes become professional. For a long time we have been lagging behind other provinces.
“We want to groom them from grassroots all the way to the top. There will be prizes in each and every category, but for now we are still looking for sponsorship,” he said.
