The Zimbabwe kickboxing national teams are being forced to borrow equipment from other national teams when they participate in international tournaments as they do not have new material to use, says Tony Kamangira, president of the Kickboxing Association of Zimbabwe.
Kamangira said new international standard equipment is not available on the Zimbabwean market and it is expensive to import it from neighbouring nations.
As a result, said Kamangira, they have been forced to travel outside the country with old material, forcing them to at times borrow from the opposition when the need arises.
The kickboxing supremo said they are lucky to be even taking part in some international events as support from the corporate world and the inclusive government has not been forthcoming.
Last year, the Zimbabwe kickboxing team failed to participate in the All-Africa championships in Madagascar.
Kickboxing, a sport which was introduced in the country only six years ago, is one of the fastest growing sporting disciplines in Zimbabwe. It has spread to all the four corners of the country with structures in all the four provinces.
On the international front, the sport has also made inroads. Brighton Changata won a bronze medal at the 2007 All-Africa Games in Algeria.
In 2010, Changata also came third at the kickboxing World Cup in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Kamangira said new international standard equipment is not available on the Zimbabwean market and it is expensive to import it from neighbouring nations.
As a result, said Kamangira, they have been forced to travel outside the country with old material, forcing them to at times borrow from the opposition when the need arises.
The kickboxing supremo said they are lucky to be even taking part in some international events as support from the corporate world and the inclusive government has not been forthcoming.
Last year, the Zimbabwe kickboxing team failed to participate in the All-Africa championships in Madagascar.
Kickboxing, a sport which was introduced in the country only six years ago, is one of the fastest growing sporting disciplines in Zimbabwe. It has spread to all the four corners of the country with structures in all the four provinces.
On the international front, the sport has also made inroads. Brighton Changata won a bronze medal at the 2007 All-Africa Games in Algeria.
In 2010, Changata also came third at the kickboxing World Cup in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
