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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter

IN the spirit of inclusivity in sport, Panthers Academy have changed the venue for the Taekwondo Expo set for Saturday and Sunday to Milton Junior School, in a bid to spread the game to school-going athletes in the city.

The initial venue for the event, which was the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) was not accessible to many and organisers of the event have seen Milton Junior as a better place to host to the expo.

Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF)

Panthers Academy director Vusumuzi Ncube said the change in venue had been necessitated by some logistical challenges in having the tournament at the ZITF including spreading the game to schools.

“We have changed the venue to Milton Junior. Nothing in regards to how we had planned the tournament changes besides the venue,” said Ncube.

“We do apologise for the inconvenience, but can guarantee that the competition will be a huge success still the same.”
Ncube said they are expecting at least 300 participants for the Taekwondo Expo. As of yesterday, 281 athletes had registered for the competition.

Countries expected to take part are Botswana, Angola, Nigeria, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Swaziland and host nation Zimbabwe.

The Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Kirsty Coventry together with Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Judith Ncube have been invited for the event.

Youths in business will also have an opportunity to advertise their businesses as stalls have been availed for them to do their business during the competition.

The event will be held to mark the academy’s 15th year anniversary.

Initially, the event was meant to be held in March but was deferred owing to some logistical challenges.

The main activities will be Poomsae, Kyorugi and high target kicking.

Panthers Academy was running taekwondo in 16 schools around Bulawayo before Covid-19 hit, but that number has dropped significantly.

Ncube said they plan to embark on a taekwondo awareness and recruitment drive around Bulawayo where he believes a lot of talent remains untapped.

They also want to improve students’ grading after two years of inaction.

A grading assesses one’s technical ability, knowledge, indomitable spirit and physical conditioning, and most importantly allows rank advancement. – @innocentskizoe