Story by Anashe Murombedzi, Sports Reporter
The ZIMBABWE National Karate Federation is set to partner with the Zimbabwe Karate Union to host the Japanese Ambassadors Cup 2023 edition pencilled for Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex this Saturday.
Local athletes will contest for honours in the Japanese Ambassador’s Cup, with karatekas under the Zimbabwe National Karate Federation and the Zimbabwe Karate Union expecred to take part.
The competition comes as a massive boost for athletes, who had gone for long without game time.
Zimbabwe National Karate Federation President Joe Rugwete said, ‘‘The athletes have been starved of competitions because of the local downs during the Covid-19 era and now they are hungry for tournaments which make us look forward to a packed event.’’
With drug and substance abuse wreaking havoc in Zimbabwe, the tournament is set to bring the youth on board and keep them away from the scourge.
Zimbabwe Karate Union Steven Charandura noted, ‘‘We are taking this tournament to teach our youths to kick out drug and substance abuse that will harm them and through sport this will be a platform to carry out the fight.’’
Sponsored by the Japanese Embassy, the Japanese Ambassadors Cup serves as a roadmap to prepare for the Africa Union Sports Council Region Five Games and the Youth Olympic Games later this year.
