Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Ellina Mhlanga, Zimpapers Sports Hub
AFTER wrapping up their 2024 activities recently with the Champion of Champions tournament in Harare recently, the Zimbabwe Karate Union’s (ZKU) season seems to have been one of mixed fortunes.
While ZKU president, Tawanda Mufundisi feels they had a fruitful year, he also highlighted the challenges they faced including financial constraints that limited their participation in international events.
“It was a fruitful year after we managed to host national tournaments and send our teams to various international tournaments.
“This was made possible after we dealt with the compliance issue…Our teams and athletes did well locally, regionally and internationally.
“We managed to send our teams to regional tournaments in Zambia and South Africa.
“And had our athletes competing and attending international events in four countrie — namely Japan, England, Montenegro and Wales- as well as having our administrators attending various sports courses that are beneficial to us,” said Mufundisi.
However, lack of resources has been the major setback for them as karatekas sometimes had to find their own funding to compete in regional and international tournaments.
In their last international competition, held in Japan, some of the fighters dropped out due to financial challenges.
Mufundisi admitted they also struggled with compliance issues in the first quarter of the year, which affected their operations.
“Lack of resources, lack of sponsorship for our various tournaments has been a challenge.
“We are kindly calling out to the corporate world to come on board and help with sponsorship support and partnering with us.
“Compliance issues made things difficult for our operations in the first quarter of the year. But we fought hard until we became compliant with SRC and things are moving smoothly.
“Thanks to the hard work by the new ZKU executive and board members who worked tirelessly.
“We will try to engage the corporate world and see if we can get funds for projects that will generate sponsorship for our athletes and the whole association in general.”
Mufundisi, who is also the International Karate Organisation (IKO) Nakamura Zimbabwe branch chief, is expecting a busy 2025 with a number of competitions lined up.
They will be hoping for better fortunes to increase participation in regional and international tournaments, building on the successes of the likes of Justice Mutyoramwendo and martial artist, Wilfred Mashaya.
“It seems 2025 is going to be a very busy year by the look of things.
“Justice is alive (to the expectations) and is looking forward to deliver even more this time around.
“Shidoshi Wilfred Mashaya is also promising fireworks as usual, flying our national flag even higher.
“Remember, he conquered Europe. We have also the duo of young girls,Tsitsi Muranda and Alicia Mufundisi, they won’t be left out on the list as well.
“Simba Khumba men Open, Dumisani Magaya and men middleweight champion Robert Mashingaidze, who recently graded to black belt, have a lot to offer always.
“Justice is no rookie to the ring. He is working towards attaining gold internationally after scooping silver this year in Kagoshima, Japan.
“I have been working with him and I am sure he will surpass my achievements since he is still very young and stronger.
“2025, I think we also have to host a youth tournament especially for school going age-groups and spread karate to rural areas as well as enhance compliance amongst our affiliates,” Mufundisi said.
