Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
PANTHERS Academy director Vusumuzi Ncube says they are expecting at least 300 participants for the Taekwondo Expo which will take place at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Hall 1 at the end of this month.
A total of 281 athletes have registered for the competition set for October 29 and 30.
Countries expected to take part are Botswana, Angola, Nigeria, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.
“Our theme is about promoting the girl child and the youth that is why we are working with females in business. We have invited the Minister of Sport, honourable Kirsty Coventry, her office has confirmed she is coming. An invitation has also been sent to Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister Judith Ncube,” said Ncube.
Youths in business will also have an opportunity to advertise their businesses as stalls have been availed for them to do their business during the competition.
The event will be held to mark the academy’s 15th anniversary.
Initially, the event was meant to be held in March but was deferred owing to some logistical challenges.
The main activities will be Poomsae, Kyorugi and high target kicking.
Panthers Academy was running taekwondo at 16 schools around Bulawayo before Covid-19 but that number has dropped significantly.
Ncube said they plan to embark on a taekwondo awareness and recruitment drive around Bulawayo where he says there is a lot of untapped talent.
He said the academy also wants to improve pupils’ grading after two years of inaction.
A grading assesses one’s technical ability, knowledge, indomitable spirit, 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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