adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Karate Union on Wednesday re-appointed the pair of Paul Danisa and Tendayi Mutikani as their national technical directors during an induction meeting at Old Hararians Sports Club.
Danisa and Mutikani were appointed last year as the technical directors for semi-contact and full-contact styles and they will continue with their duties for the next two years.
The meeting saw the newly-elected executive, led by Joe Rugwete, going through their constitution and strategic plan.
The other executive members are vice-president Erick Chinembiri, secretary-general Steve Charandura and treasurer Morag Flight.
Rugwete said they felt the two had done a good job since their appointments last year.
“We wanted an induction for the new vice-president and we went through the constitution with him. We were looking at our strategic plan and where it is now and what can be done.
“There are certain positions which have to be filled and those positions include the technical directors so we have re-appointed Mutikani and Danisa.
“We have written letters of appointments to them. We are also going to organise elections for the athletes’ commission.
“In the past we used to have a team captain as the ex-officio member but we have realised that being the team captain doesn’t necessarily mean that they would be good representatives for the athletes,” said Rugwete.
Rugwete said they will make other appointments such as the chief referee and national coaches in the next few weeks after which they will set up a national team selection panel.
“We are also going to establish a national team selection panel made up of provincial technical directors and coaches because the selection of the national teams cannot be done by the national technical directors only.
“Previously, it was the (national) technical directors and coaches but we want to widen it to the people in the provinces because the technical directors sometimes may not be available to assess people in those provinces,” Rugwete said.
Danisa said their appointments will allow continuity as they target the 2015 All-Africa Games.
“I think what I am happy with is there is going to be continuity in terms of technical programmes for the next two years. Everything is geared towards having major achievements in 2015.
“All competitions we are going to do, starting with the World Championships in February, are geared towards our preparations for 2015 All-Africa Games,” said Danisa.
Mutikani said they were looking forward to next year.
“I think 2013 has been a bit difficult trying to unite all the styles but I am happy we managed to do that.
“We also had many international events so we did not have local tournaments for full-contact styles but next year we want to focus more on local events and the juniors.
“I am happy to know that, at least, people were satisfied with what we did and to know that there are people supporting us,” said Mutikani.
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