Zimbabwe Karate Union battles dollar demons

07 Dec, 2014 - 00:12 0 Views

The Sunday Mail

The Zimbabwe Karate Union is battling to secure funds to send five athletes to next week’s Kyokushin Kan World Youth Championships in Moscow, Russia.

Junior karatekas aged between 12 and 17 are set to compete at the fourth edition of the global tournament from December 19-21.

With the tournament organisers only catering for one fighter, the local union needs $ 6 000 to cater for the other four karatekas.

Shihan (Master) Tendayi Marange, who is set to be the head of the Zimbabwe delegation and is also part of the competition’s panel of judges, disclosed that they are pulling all stops to ensure that the country sends a complete team.

“We have only secured one ticket, that is the one we get from the tournament organisers; so, we are in need of funds to send the other four athletes.

“We are failing to get sponsorship. We have approached some individuals, but we have not yet received any response. It is up to God now and we remain hopeful,” said Marange.

“In a case where we fail to send these other four, the instructors who have been working with fighters will have to decide on whom to send.”

Marange said participating at the World Junior Championships would positively impact on the future of karate in the country.

“It would be really helpful to these young fighters in terms of exposure and experience.

“This is a world competition and it would help them with confidence as well.

“Hopefully we will secure the funds because the youngsters have trained hard in preparation for this tourney,’’ he said.

Share This:

Survey


We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey

This will close in 20 seconds