adminhonours in the junior and senior categories.
The team is made up of 50 fighters that will compete in individual and team events at the championships.
The tournament kicks off with a referee’s course and the executive congress tomorrow where the member countries will elect a new executive to run karate affairs in the region and the actual competition is pencilled for Saturday.
Team head coach, Paul Danisa said he is hopeful they would do well although they were forced to drop some juniors due to school commitments.
“We are looking at taking 50 fighters, the preparations have gone very well and we are on course.
“I think we will be quite ready to get some medals. Our only regret is we have some youngsters who were supposed to defend their titles but they have exams but still we have a formidable team,” said Danisa.
Danisa who is also the national technical director for semi-contact karate styles said although there are strong teams from countries such as Botswana they are looking forward to winning the title.
“Botswana are very strong competitors but I think we can match their standard. We have got our own fighters who can match them. I think over the past two years we have acquired the experience, we are hoping and looking forward to coming first this year,” said Danisa.
ZKU president, Joe Rugwete said they are ready to battle with other countries from the region. They will also be sending officials to participate in a referee’s course to be held tomorrow ahead of the competition on Saturday.
“Everything is now in place and other countries from the region have confirmed their participation.
“Last year we finished second behind Botswana, we will definitely be in top three. Last year South Africa brought a small number of athletes but this year they are bringing in a bigger delegation but we are not worried about that. We still hope that we will do well,” said Rugwete.
Some of the fighters expected to represent the country are Winston Nyanhete, David Dube, Justine Mashiri, Monica Peters and Chiccah Ndiripo.
Online Reporter