malvernmugadzikwa
Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Kickboxing Association (ZIKA) has officially joined the fight against drug and substance abuse. The association yesterday held the second edition of the Greater Harare 2 Kickboxing tournament at Stodart Netball Complex in Mbare. ZIKA pledged to make the tournament an annual event as part of a campaign to fight the scourge.
“This is our second time hosting this tournament, which we hope to use as a vehicle for change in the fight against drug abuse,” said the event match commissioner, Master Eric Chengaose.
“This year’s event attracted fighters from as far as Domboshava, Chitungwiza, Mutare and Beitbridge, with the goal being that we want to encourage these youngsters to stay away from drugs and choose the sport.
“We want them to join the various clubs in the country, train and develop themselves physically, mentally and spiritually,” added Chengaose, who is also the welfare manager of ZIKA.
Nine clubs sent their fighters to the tournament, which was fought under full-contact rules.
These include SJK (Mbare), ITF (Domboshava), Churchill Kickboxing Club, Dzivaresekwa, Mutare, Beitbridge and Crocodile Kickboxing clubs, Wing Chung and SJK (Kambuzuma).
The fighters ranged from Under-13 to the Under-17 age groups.
Bongani Ndlovu