Katsande desperate for funding

ZIMBABWE taekwondo national team athlete Kudzai Katsande, who qualified to represent the country at this year’s All Africa Olympic qualifiers in Dakar Senegal, is racing against time as he is yet to secure finances for the trip.

The 29-year-old is part of the team that was named for the prestigious tournament set for next month. Katsande has represented the country in several regional tournaments from 2019 winning several gold medals. The karateka was part of the team that took part in last year’s tournaments in Mozambique, South Africa and Eswatini.

‘I am looking forward to take part in the All Africa Olympic qualifiers in Dakar Senegal in February. I managed to qualify after the national qualifiers last year in the heavyweight category.

“I am now facing financial challenges as the sport is self-sponsored and for me to travel to Senegal it is proving a challenge.

“I have been positive and never stopped training and I am more than ready for the challenge. We have a good team which I believe with support we can qualify for the Olympics,” said Katsande.

Katsande, who trains in Marlborough, said since his elevation to the national team in 2019 his wish is to represent the country at international level.

“I think taking part in the 2022 Korean Ambassador’s Taekwondo Cup in Johannesburg, South Africa was the best for me.

“The qualifiers were so tough as the teams that participated were the teams that we went on to meet at the All Africa Championships and come out with a medal which made me stronger mentally,” added Katsande.