adminCaroline Magenga Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S Karate flag-bearer Samson Muripo, who scooped silver in the just-ended IKO Matsushima Karate World Cup, says lack of sponsorship is hampering the growth of the sport in the country.
Thirty countries, including world giants like Ukraine, Russia, China, Korea, Australia and hosts South Africa, took part in the prestigious event held in Durban, South Africa.
Unfortunately, most Zimbabwean karatekas in the 10-man team fell short and it was the reigning Sportsman of the Year Muripo who managed to bring home a medal at the prestigious world event.
The high-profile fighter, who is the first African to have won a world karate championship as well as a gold medal during the first international Karate organisation Kyokushinkaikan First World Karate Tournament in Tokyo, settled for silver in the middleweight Under-80kg after losing out to a fighter from Ukraine.
Muripo told The Herald that the competition was stiff and that the team were heavily handicapped by the fact that they did not afford to send a full contingent to represent the country owing to financial challenges.
“There were many fighters who are exposed to many high-profile karate tournaments which is something our fighters are not privileged to do.
“Almost every country there had four fighters per category while we had two or one fighter per category which resulted in us not being able to collect as many medals as we might have, had we had a full team representing the country.
“We were also unlucky as one of our top fighters and medal hopefuls Tawanda Mufundisi suffered an ankle injury in the early stages of the semi-final and had to sit out the rest of the tournament.
“Lack of comprehensive sponsorship is really hampering its growth as evidenced by the results in the various tournaments and events we attend.
“Zimbabwe has so much raw talent that is not being exploited because of lack of resources. I call upon the corporate world and Government to come to our aid to facilitate the growth of the sport in the country.
“If the same support to soccer was given to karate, I tell you our team would achieve wonders,” he added.
The rest of the team was knocked out in the quarter-final stage of the event.
Online Reporter