By OSCAR PILIPILI
The Kenya Karate Federation (KKF) is organising Kenya’s first ever international Karate Clubs Championship Malindi next year.
The championship, bringing together teams from all over the world, will be held on March 25-31.
Its main objective is to promote Sports Tourism in Kenya while fighting the drug menace among the youth.
Teams from England, Scotland, Romania, Spain, Russia, Italy, France, Brazil, Poland, Australia, New Zealand and Saudi Arabia have confirmed participation.
KKF chairman Caleb Atemi said that the tournament?s rings would be placed on a raised platform facing the beautiful Indian Ocean.
"Both the players and spectators will have the chance of enjoying the cool breeze as they take part in the first event of its kind in Africa," said Atemi.
Some for the senior most Sensei’s (karate teachers) will take charge of the technical arm of the tournament.
They include: Sensei Kohey Yamada, 8th Dan Karate Do Shitoriu, from Japan; Sensei Yashio Tamura, sixth Dan Karate Do Goju Ryu, from Japan but based in Kenya; Sensei Silvano Panaiotti, seventh Dan and International Karate Organisation from Italy.
Others in the list of trainers are: Sensei Bon Owiti, 4th Dan, Karate Do Shotokan, national coach, Kenya; Sensei Anderson Katana, 3rd Dan, Assistant National Coach, Kenya, and Sensei Raffaele Bernardi, 5th Dan, Karate Do Goju Ryu, from Italy.
Atemi said: "We expect at least 2,000 athletes including those from Africa?s Zone Five countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt.
"The event will be a major boost to the hotel and tourism industry in Kenya and is expected to become an annual part of the KKF calendar," Atemi added.
We require sponsors who can help with promotion, marketing, advertising and media, transportation, accommodation and food especially for teams from Africa.
Large audience
KKF is also appealing for sponsorships in medical and insurance, secretariat, opening closing ceremony diner, computer facilities for registration, simultaneous translation services in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish and security among others.
Karate is one of the most practiced sport in the world with more than 10,000,000 World Karate Federation (WKF members) worldwide.
According to Atemi, karate is a healthy sport that helps keep the society away from tobacco, drugs and alcohol.
