adminThe team left in two batches with the fighters leaving for Lusaka on Thursday night while the officials followed on Friday only to be told that the event set for Saturday had been moved to July 28.
Zimbabwe had sent eight fighters led by former world champion Samson Muripo.
Lovemore Nyamutswa, Malvery Muyambo, Innocent Parimangwana, Nicholas Muchatisi, Shadreck Kwashi and the Mucheni brothers Robson and Austin were the other members of the team.
Zimbabwe Karate Union secretary general, Steven Charandura, said they were disappointed by the postponement of the event in Zambia and have requested for a
detailed report on what actually transpired.
“We were made to believe that the tournament was going ahead till Friday evening. The organiser said most of his guys had gone to Botswana for the Zone Six championships but we understand there are some administrative problems in Zambia.
“We have actually asked for a detailed report from them telling us why the tournament was postponed on the 11th hour. On Wednesday we asked them for the programme of the event and they were supposed to have informed us earlier,” said Charandura.
He also said that they are not sure if they are going to compete in the tournament at the end of this month as they have already wasted their resources travelling to Zambia.
“I don’t think it is going to be easy for us to go (back to Zambia). Maybe if they give us a satisfactory report. They have to prove that they are serious or maybe if they come here for our tournaments then we will see that they are serious,” Charandura said.
Muripo, who was hoping to use the event to asses his preparations for the World Championships set for November in Japan, said he is now concentrating on his preparations for the global event.
“We will keep on training, otherwise my next assignment is the World Championships. I will put my focus on that. We have been training as a team for full contact under the guidance of the technical director,” said Muripo.
Muripo thanked Arosume Property Development for funding their trip to Zambia.
ZKU technical director for full contact styles, Tendai Mutikani, said they are going hold a meeting when the other executive members who are in Botswana are back to map the way forward and come up with the final decision on whether they should participate or not in the Zambian competition this month.
“Our guys were disappointed because they were prepared for the event. I had to calm them down. We are now waiting for the other officials in Botswana to come and map the way forward,” said Mutikani.
Online Reporter