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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe National Karate Federation (ZNKF) has named their provisional squad to represent the country at the African Union Sports Council Region Five Games set for early next year.

The selection of the squad was done during the Japanese Ambassadors tournament which was held in Harare last weekend.

ZNKF president Joe Rugwete says he was impressed with the performances on the day.

“It was a good tournament we tested all our athletes and did not have any issues. We had almost all provinces taking part. The quality was impressive especially given that we are just coming out of the long layoff due to Covid-19.

“Our coaching unit that is national technical team have come with the provisional squad for the Ausc region five tournament to be held in South Africa this February, final dates to be decided depending on the Covid-19 situation,” said Rugwete.

He said they were already making plans for next year.

“We are planning on converging in Gweru before the year ends. That is when we will come up with our 2022 calender of events,” said Rugwete.

The Japanese Ambassador competition was the Karate federation’s second national tournament following the Kurai Open Karate Championships that was held last month.

The ZNKF recently got recognition from the World Karate Federation as the sole administrator of the sport in the country. Previously, there was confusion over who between ZNKF and ZKU was the legitimate affiliate of the WKF.

The two groups tried to unite in November last year, but their differences were too wide. ZNKF was formed last year for semi-contact members to comply with WKF statutes that prohibit its affiliates from mixing semi-contact and full contact karate.

Provisional Squad

Men: Kluivert Elton, Takudzwa Tandi, Praise Chipanda, Tinashe Chayendera, Innocent Ntini, Knowledge Chikondowa

Women: Monica Redeem Victor, Julie Ann Weale, Tishana Sekereni, Lerato Mashingaidze, Kudzaishe Takaedza, Nakai Mahachi, Patience Mukarati
— @innocentskizoe