The second Africa International Youth Kung Fu Championship is coming to Cape Town on 2 and 3 March 2024 at Fairbairn College’s multi-purpose hall in Goodwood.
This event is coordinated by the MJ Li Kung Fu Foundation.
Countries and teams invited to the championship are South Africa (Cape Town, Jo’burg and Pretoria), Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Mexico, the United States and Chinese Hong Kong.
“The focus will continue to be on athletes from the African continent, but now, we want to give it an international standard and flavour by inviting these athletes and teams from outside the African continent.
“We look towards building on the lessons learnt from the first tournament,” Shifu Muhammad Junaid Chafeker, who will be the tournament host, said.
Pat Ellis, the principal’s secretary at Fairbairn College, said the kung fu championship is a good initiative highlighting sports.
According to Ellis it brings other countries to South Africa and opens opportunities for Fairbairn College.
Chafeker said that the South African team included youth from Paarl, Wellington, Caledon, Langa, Mitchell’s Plain, Goodwood, Bellville and Bonteheuwel and quite a strong team came over the borders from Botswana, Malawi and Zimbabwe.
Some teams had financial challenges, having to send athletes over the border.
“But we are grateful for the support we received from the City of Cape Town, also the Western Cape Government,” said Chafeker. “The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport assisted with accommodation for the travelling athletes, as well as supplying daily breakfast and supper to the athletes.”
Now the MJ Li Kung Fu Foundation looks forward to the 2024 edition and building on the lessons learned from the first tournament.
