Durban - The KwaZulu-Natal government, together with Kyokushin Kai South Africa, will host the second edition of the Jacob Zuma Matsushima Karate Cup this weekend.
The tournament will take place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Conference Centre from 9 to 10 October.
Countries participating in the tournament include Hungary, Iran, Kazakhstan, Japan, USA, Spain, Lesotho, Swaziland, India, Pakistan and South Africa.
Kyokushin Kai, which will be displayed at the tournament, is a traditional Japanese martial art which focuses on strenuous physical training.
The organisation runs a prisoner re-orientation programme at all major prison centres in KwaZulu-Natal, where multi-faceted training and counselling takes place.
Last year, President Jacob Zuma said it was heartening that Kyokushin Kai Africa uses sport as an instrument for nation building.
The youth is also benefiting from the sport - especially the underprivileged - with centres available across the country.
The competition to get into the national squad was not an easy feat for students of the martial art.
"For the first time in history Karate South Africa will promote this [discipline] as a competitive sport in the international arena.
"Over the last five years of intense participation, South Africa ... gained the respect of the International Karate Organisation and was given a rare opportunity to bid for hosting the world tournament," said the President of Kyokushin kai South Africa, Khanyisani Mazibuko.
The tournament will be attended by Zuma, premiers and sports MECs from all over the country. Zuma will officially announce South Africa as the host of the 2014 Karate World tournament.
