Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga ,Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIM Ninja Academy founder Wilfred Mashaya says taking young athletes to the International Combat Organisation (ICO) World Championships in Wales marks a vital step in nurturing the next generation of martial artists.
Mashaya, a decorated martial artist himself, is leading a nine-member team made up mostly of athletes aged between 8 and 16. The competition officially opened yesterday, with the action running until Sunday.
The team features Thandeka Moyo, Dean Gwatah, Anotida Hove and Anenyasha Hove in the girls’ category, while Wilfred Mashaya Jnr, Brian Mupindu Jnr, Takudzwa Chizema and Arnold Mudzengerere will compete in the boys’ section. Mashaya is the only senior member on the trip.
“Due to some circumstances beyond our control and also lack of sponsorship, we have managed to take kids only. But we hope next time we are going to take both kids and adults if sponsorship permits,” said Mashaya before departure yesterday afternoon.
The team will compete in several weaponry categories, including traditional, creative, freestyle and advanced weapons.
Mashaya believes exposing young athletes to world competitions is key to their growth and the sport’s development in Zimbabwe.
“Actually, for the junior policy, it is very important,” he said. “Looking into the future, we say the kids are the future, so if we catch them young it means as they grow up, they develop that talent and those skills into something that can be admired by the world.
“Exposing them at this tender age to world competitions helps them grow and become very good athletes who are ready to represent our country.
“To me, it means a lot having these kids participating.
“It makes me happy to show the world that I have groomed kids, to show that I have developed this discipline in Zimbabwe. So, it’s part of sport development.”
The Zim Ninja Academy team has been training consistently in preparation for the global showdown. Mashaya said while his expectations are realistic, he believes the young fighters will hold their own.
“We have been training hard for so many months now. Actually, we started preparing last year but the intensity of the training has been about six months of intensive work. Our team is prepared and ready to showcase the talent on the world stage.
“My expectations, yes, they can be high but this is their first world tournament. I am expecting that they go there, they do their best. But we are expecting also to at least bring something home and to have some podium performances, that is our expectation.”
The global event has attracted participants from Portugal, Scotland, Germany, Ireland, France, the USA and several other countries.
Bongani Ndlovu