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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
PANTHERS Academy director Vusa Dube says the Taekwondo Expo to be hosted in Bulawayo next month will not only be a sports fiesta but also an opportunity to push sports tourism.
Ten countries have confirmed participation at the expo set to be hosted at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre.
The event will be held to mark the academy’s 15th year anniversary.
Initially, the event was meant to be held in March, but was deferred owing to some logistical challenges.
Malawi, Lesotho, Swaziland, South Africa, Angola, Zambia, Egypt, Botswana, Nigeria and Mozambique are the countries set to be part of this year’s event.
“We are not only looking at the sport aspect of things.
“We have set a day that we want our visitors to explore Bulawayo and its heritage sites,” said Dube.
“This sport has sponsorship challenges which is why we see the country sending in few athletes for international and regional events.
“So having Bulawayo hosting is an opportunity for those who have not had an opportunity to take part in international events to take part because we are hosting.
“Preparations for the event are sailing smoothly and we are hopeful we will stage a successful event,” Dube added.
The main activities will be Poomsae, Kyorugi and high target kicking
Panthers Academy was running taekwondo in 16 schools around Bulawayo before Covid-19 hit, but that number has dropped significantly.
Ncube said they plan to embark on a taekwondo awareness and recruitment drive around Bulawayo where he believes a lot of talent remains untapped.
They also want to improve students’ grading after two years of inaction.
A grading assesses one’s technical ability, knowledge, indomitable spirit and physical conditioning, and most importantly allows rank advancement.
Taekwondo, Tae Kwon Do or Taekwon-Do is a Korean form of martial arts, characterised by punching and kicking techniques, with emphasis on head-height kicks, jumping spinning kicks and fast kicking techniques. — @innocentskizoe
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