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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
Sport, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Tabitha Kanengoni-Malinga yesterday said there was need to invest in sport to make it a vibrant industry.

Kanengoni-Malinga was speaking during a Press conference held at her offices in the capital to honour two karatekas, Tangai Mhlanga, who won the inaugural World Fighting Kyokushinkai Organisation-Africa Championships middleweight belt in South Africa.

Shadreck Chigombe won a bronze at the same event.

Mhlanga also got an all-expenses paid for trip to Russia to participate in the World Championships scheduled for April 25.

Kanengoni-Malinga said they acknowledged the financial challenges faced by most national sporting associations, including karate, and urged the corporate world to invest in sport.

“Due to the economic challenges the Zimbabwe Karate Union only managed to send two athletes of the desired six.

“Karate has grown to become one of the best medal winning sporting disciplines in the country and has performed well even administratively.

“Financial challenges have resulted in most cases athletes contributing their own resources in order to fulfil regional and international competitions, requirements and obligations.

“If given equal funding opportunities as competitors, Zimbabwe karate would be positioned above its competitors. “It is against this background that I would like to encourage the corporate world to come on board and invest in sport to help grow the industry.

“With such shining talent as we have before us today, our sport can be transformed into a vibrant industry that creates employment opportunities for our people, especially the youth, which is in line with the government’s thrust to practically empower the nation,” said Kanengoni-Malinga.

The deputy minister hailed the two fighters and the ZKU for their efforts in trying to improve the standard of the sport to match their counterparts at all levels.

“We are very proud of you and we hope that you will continue to do us proud. Over the years the discipline (kyokushin) has grown spreading to various countries, including Zimbabwe. “The Zimbabwe Karate Union, which is affiliated to our Sport and Recreation Commission, has successfully grown kyokushin in Zimbabwe.

“This is so evident by Zimbabwean athletes who have continued to raise our flag high on the international scene,” said Kanengoni-Malinga.

Mhlanga, who was making his debut appearance outside the country, said he was humbled by his achievement.

“It was good but difficult when I competed and I am happy I won my first tournament outside Zimbabwe.

“It was difficult because I travelled the whole night by bus and had to compete the following day. I was not expecting to win and I want to thank Sensei Samson Muripo, who is my instructor, for helping me,” said Mhlanga.

ZKU president, Joe Rugwete, said they were hopeful of a better future in sport if the ministry can fulfil its promise to support local athletes.

“We are very happy that as government you are aware of the challenges we face as we try and go about running the association, identifying, nurturing and producing talent in Zimbabwe.

“And so we are very hopeful that through your efforts and the knowledge that you have over the challenges we have that better days coming for karate and sport in general,” said Rugetwe.