By FRANCINA CHOMBA –
ZAMBIA’S participation at the 2014 Karate World championship in Tokyo Japan in October 11 to 14 is still in a state of uncertainty due to lack of funds.
The Shotokan Karate Association of Zambia (SKAZ) general secretary Justin Chemba confirmed in an interview yesterday that the association had not raised any funds to meet their total budget of K280,000.
Chemba cited lack of positive response from the corporate world. He said the team might not participate in the championship if there will be no feedback from the co operate world and the Sports Council of Zambia (SCZ) before October 3.
“We will inform the mother body in Japan that the Zambian team may be unable to participate in the championship because we do not have the capacity to enable them travel,” Chemba said.
He said the association will trim the team from 15 to eight Karatekas, should they realise part of the money.
Meanwhile, SKAZ will stage a preparatory championship in Kitwe on October 27 at Ndeke Hall aimed at gauging the team’s readiness.
Chemba said the championship has attracted 13 clubs from across the country, which includes Konkola, Ndola, Kitwe, Nakambala, Zambia National Service (ZNS), Nchanga and Mufulira among others.
“The team has started the preparations in their various clubs ahead of the Karate Open championship that will see the national team take on selected candidates,” he said.
