By ELIAS CHIPEPO –

 THE Zambia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (ZPBWCB) has appointed Simon Mwale as its new board secretary.

 According to a statement released in Lusaka yesterday, Mwale’s appointment is effective February 1.

 Mwale takes over as secretary from ZPBWCB’s technical sub-committee chairperson, Chris Mulenga, who was in an acting position following Ben Saili’s departure in February last year.

 ZPBWCB chairperson Nelson Sapi said Mwale emerged as an outstanding candidate for the position and that he brings to the board his depth knowledge and experience in matters related to boxing.

 “After a rigorous selection process, Mwale emerged as the outstanding candidate to be the secretary of our board. He brings a great depth of knowledge and experience in matters related to boxing as evidenced from his influential and insightful columns from years of writing first, for the Zambia Daily Mail, and now Times of Zambia.

 “I’m delighted to welcome him on behalf of our board. He joins the board at an incredibly exciting time when Zambia is about to stage two World Boxing Council title fights,” Sapi said.

 He expressed confidence that Mwale’s journalistic background will be an asset to the board in raising its profile and thanked Mulenga for the work rendered to the board during the past 12 months.

 “We look forward to working with Mwale and all our stakeholders in the year ahead. I thank Mulenga for his wonderful work these past months as he reverts to his substantive role of technical chairperson on our board,” he said.

 And Mwale, formerly Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company (LWSC) public relations manager, said he was honoured to be joining the ZPBWCB and that he was looking ahead to the opportunities and challenges.

 “I’m honoured to be joining the board at this time. I believe that God has opened this door for a purpose. It’s particularly thrilling to be a part of the vibrant board which is determined to take the sport to new levels,” he said.

 Mwale has a Masters Degree in business administration from Cavendish University Zambia and a post-graduate diploma in journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass communications.

 His key areas of responsibility include controlling and regulating professional boxing in Zambia as well as promoting and safeguarding the interests of members of the ZPBWCB.

 These include organisation of boxing tournaments, licensing and registration of stables, managers and boxers throughout the world.