By Jones Gadama
In a heartwarming display of corporate social responsibility, Capital Oil Refining Industries (Cori) through its Kukoma Cooking Oil brand has come to the rescue of Malawi’s national kickboxing heavyweight champion, Jimmy Katsoka.
The company has provided Katsoka with K1 million to support his participation in the Africa Day Kickboxing Championship scheduled for this Saturday in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Katsoka, who recently turned professional, had initially appealed for K500,000 to cover his trip expenses.
However, Cori’s operations manager, Moshin Sheikh, decided to double the amount to ensure the athlete’s comfort during the tournament.
Speaking during the cheque presentation in Blantyre, Sheikh emphasized the company’s commitment to changing lives and contributing to sports development in Malawi.
“We believe in supporting talented individuals like Jimmy Katsoka, and we’re confident that our contribution will make a significant difference in his performance,” Sheikh said.
He added that Cori is prepared to offer further support if Katsoka emerges victorious against his Zimbabwean opponent, Royal Dengezi.
Katsoka expressed his gratitude to Cori for the timely support, promising to do his best to make Malawi proud.
“I’m deeply touched by Cori’s generosity, and I assure them that I will put in my best effort to bring honor to our country,” Katsoka said.
This gesture by Cori highlights the importance of corporate support in promoting sports development in Malawi.
Many athletes face financial constraints that hinder their participation in international competitions.
By bailing out Katsoka, Cori has not only enabled him to participate in the championship but has also sent a strong message about the value of investing in sports talent.
As Katsoka prepares to face off against Dengezi, Malawians are eagerly awaiting the outcome, hoping that their national champion will bring glory to the country.
With Cori’s support, Katsoka is well-equipped to take on the challenge and make a mark in the Africa Day Kickboxing Championship.
The partnership between Cori and Katsoka is a testament to the power of collaboration between the private sector and sports personalities in driving national development and pride.
