Karate team presents World Cup trophies to Honourable Minister

The Honourable Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga this morning welcomed the Eswatini Oyama Kyokushini Karate Association team which brought back home two trophies from the recently concluded Karate World Cup in China.

The tournament was held on November 17 & 18 where the country was represented by a team made up of four athletes, two males and two females. Sindi Maphalala and Cebsile Mthembu, both competing in the Open Weight Division, finished third and fourth overall respectively, thus receiving trophies for their achievements.

Today, the duo together with the entire team led by President Shihan Mfanafuthi Vilakati, presented their trophies to the Minister at the Ministry’s Conference room in Mbabane. Making his remarks, the Minister congratulated the two athletes on their achievements.

“Firstly, we would like to congratulate the team on such a huge achievement. We are very happy with what you have done; you have truly hoisted the country’s flag high. We have noted that Karate teams always bring home medals and trophies and we hope that this will inspire other sporting associations to also follow in your footsteps,” the Minister said.

Bulunga then announced that the two athletes would receive a total of E15 000 from government as a token of appreciation for representing the country well. Third placed Maphalala will pocket E10 000 while fourth placed Mthembu will take home E5 000.

“Even though our economy is not doing okay, we cannot ignore what you have done which is why therefore we will give you this incentive to thank you for the good job that you did in China. We are proud of you,” Bulunga concluded.

Also present during the event were Under Secretary in the Ministry Nhlanhla Motsa, Director of Sports Lucky Sihlongonyane and Swaziland National Sport and Recreational Council (SNSRC) CEO Darius Dlomo amongst others.

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