Local brings home medal

This comes after he competed at the Johannesburg Regional Karate Tournament, which was held at the Orlando Stadium Hall on Saturday and organised by the Johannesburg Karate Federation.

“The competition was not easy, but I am happy since I managed to come home with a bronze medal.

“I have been practising karate for over a decade and it has been my dream to make sure that this sport gets well known and loved by the people who live in this community and the surrounding area.

“My hope is that through this accomplishment, I will able to encourage and introduce the youth of Kwatsaduza to this lovely sport of karate,” he says.

He adds that though soccer might have been the favourite in the past, karate seems to be growing among black people in the townships.

“This indeed encourages me to continue working on my dream to motivate and train the youth in the township so they too can follow in my footsteps of taking part in karate.

“And I believe that through dedication, passion and hard work I will be able to get many young people to come and join this sport,” he says.

When asked about his plans for the year with regard to his sporting career, Kokong says a dream he would love to achieve for the year is to take part in many karate competitions and finally his black belt in karate, as currently he has a brown belt.

He invites all interested young people, from the age of five and residing around Kwatsaduza to his karate lessons, which are set to kick off on Monday at the Buhlebemfundo Secondary School in Tsakane.

For more information, locals can contact Jackson Kokong on 083 368 7507.