By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –

THE Zambia Martial Arts Association (ZaMAA) will today host the 2013 season-ending Karate National Championships dubbed “Festive Season Championship” at the Italian School in Lusaka.

Apart from hosting the season-closing event that will bring together Zambia’s top karatekas, ZaMAA will also host the 2013 annual Karate Awards at the same venue.

ZaMAA technical director, Modlee Chola said in Lusaka yesterday that all the categories would be competed for and expected stiff competition considering the high standards exhibited this year.

“We shall this weekend, December 28 be hosting the season closing championship at the Italian School here in Lusaka. Apart from the tournament, the annual awards will also be taking place. We want to honour the karatekas who have done exceptionally well this year,” he said.

We explained that the season closing championship should have been held two weeks ago but was postponed due to technical reasons.

 “The championship which was supposed to be on December 14th was postponed due to national mourning for late former South African president, Nelson Mandela,” Chola said.

He said the “Festive Season Championship” had an open invitation to the other sports personalities from different disciplines to grace the occasion and support karate.

Chola said sportsmen and administrators from sports like football, judo, table tennis and boxing among others were free to attend.

He added that 2013 had started on a good note and expressed hope that the year would end on a good note.