HARARE - The Zimbabwe Kickboxing Association has intensified preparations for the upcoming kickboxing African Nations Championships.

The association will be hosting the Open Challenge Super Amateur tournament today at Harare Girls High School in a bid to fine tune local kick boxers ahead of the country’s maiden appearance at the Championships, set for Madagascar later this month.

Contestants drawn from across the country will battle full contact in all classes from light weight right up to the heavy weight category.

The tournament will also give selectors a chance to lookout for talent ahead of the third edition of the African Nations Championships.

“The Open Challenge will go a long way in preparing the fighters in terms of skills level as well ensuring they have regular tournaments to keep fit,” Zimbabwe Kickboxing Association president Tony Kamanagira said.

Brighton Tangata, Bernard Robin, Nicholas Kurimira and Absolom Chiturumane are some of the kick boxers who have so far been selected in the provisional squad that will represent the country in the Indian Ocean island.

Zimbabwean kick-boxers have not attended a high Profile tournament since May last year when Tangata did himself and the country proud by winning a bronze medal at the Kickboxing World Cup held in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Sadly lack of sponsorship has proven to be the association’s biggest drawback, with their talent being deprived of exposure.

Kamangira said the association was confident of being part of the continental kick-boxing extravaganza later this month as corporates have pledged to fund their trip.