JOE Rugwete feels his elevation as the new African Union Sports Council Region 5 Karate Federation president will go a long way in developing sport in the country.
Rugwete, who is the Zimbabwe National Karate Federation (ZNKF) president, was elected at an election held yesterday during the visual annual African Union Sports Council Region 5 Karate Federation Congress.
Rugwete takes over from Million Masumbika of Botswana having been the secretary-general of the federation for the previous years.
“I’m very humbled and excited for the opportunity presented to me of leading such an important organ in our Karate sport of Africa,” Rugwete told the Daily News on Sunday yesterday.
“It’s an honour to be trusted with such responsibility and it shows how confident they are in my capabilities to lead the sport forward.
“I’m very positive that I will be able, together with the team elected to address issues affecting our sports in Africa, Zimbabwe Karate will benefit a lot as it will be involved in the leadership apex of the region.
“As as country we need to make full use of this opportunity to develop the sport.”
Rungwete will lead an eight-member federation — Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe for the next four years.
New African Union Sports Council Region 5 Karate Federation Executive Committee is as follows:
President — Joe Rugwete (Zimbabwe)
Vice President — Aurelio Mazias (Mozambique)
Secretary-General — Tshsepo Bathai (Botswana)
Treasurer — Cornelius D’Alton (Namibia)
Vice Secretary-General — Leornado Cuitto (South Africa)
by GERALD MUTSVAIRO
