22 Sep 2013

Newly elected Zone VI Karate Union president has been hailed as a leader who will turn around fortunes of the Southern Africa’s karate governing body.

Million Masumbika, who is also president of Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) was elected by association members in a special general elective meeting that was convened in Gaborone on September 21. Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting, incumbent Zone VI Union secretary general, Joe Rugwete hailed Masumbika saying the Botswana Kofukan chief instructor’s commitment had been tried and tested regionally and internationally.

“His experience from continental bodies such as Africa Karate Federation and the Union des Federation de Afrique Karate will be valuable to our organisation. We will indeed exploit his position and make sure we succeed. He has held crucial roles in technical positions, headed the referees committees and led in introducing international rules and regulations,” said Rugwete.

Rugwete, who is the surviving member from the previous committee and also president of Zimbabwe Karate Association, said he was impressed by the level of representation from member countries. Initially, the committee had Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Now vice president Carlos Diaz represents Mozambique while vice secretary general Simbarashe Mangaba is from Zambia.

Rugwete said he was hopeful that the committee’s new energy will transform into meaningful development of Karate in the region. The only time that the committee convened in the past was during the annual karate championships. “No meaningful development will come if we wait for one activity the whole year. We hope to engage more of coaching seminars inviting regional coaches and also those from the World Karate Association,” he added.

He said their end game was to improve quality and the number of athletes in the region at international meets. “Results of our work should be measured by the level of competition to be given at high competitions,” he said. The next regional competitive annual championships will be staged in Zambia, Lusaka next year. ENDS