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Harare Bureau
ZIMBABWE’S karatekas proved to be among the best within the Southern African Region when they amassed 26 medals at the Zone Six Championships which were recently held in Lusaka, Zambia.The championships attracted participants from Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe with South Africa fielding the highest number of fighters.

Zimbabwe had 22 entries competing in the kumite and kata in various categories. They got 26 medals including four gold and eight silver medals.

The quartet of Winston Nyanhete, Harrisin Karidzamimba, Nicole Musarira and Raphael Mukondiwa won gold medals in their respective categories.

Nyanhete came first in the senior male Under 67kg kumite while Karidzamimba won the male Under 55kg.

Mukondiwa and Musarira scooped gold in the boys 7-9 years kata and girls Under 35kg respectively.

Nyanhete went on to collect a bronze medal in the senior men’s kata while Mukondiwa also picked bronze in the 7-9 years kumite.

Zimbabwe Karate Union president, Joe Rugwete, said despite fielding a small team due to financial problems, the team did well.

“Under the circumstances they did very well. We also need to give special mention to the parents who accompanied us.

“It was a weaker team because they funded themselves. Financial resources were the biggest challenge. We approached the government and the corporate world for sponsorship and donations but we failed to get any. Athletes and officials had to use their own resources and this led us to field a weaker team that we could have because some of the deserving athletes failed to money,” said Rugwete.

Rugwete said there is need for the government to treat all national sports associations equally when they represent the country in regional and international events.

“The government needs to be clear on its policy on assisting National Sports Federations as there seem to be inconsistency in that other associations receive money and other support from the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture,” Rugwete said.

Zimbabwe also saw three of its officials being appointed to different commissions at regional level during the championships. The three are Eugene Moody, who is now in the organising committee and referees commission, Paul Danisa is now head Zone Six technical commission and Tichaona Size is now a member of the finance committee.

“It’s my influence as the secretary-general for the Southern Africa region. They recognised their efforts and commitment. It puts us on a strengthened position,” said Rugwete.

The team arrived back home on Tuesday.