265 gather for karate c'ship
Published on: Sunday, March 13, 2011
Kota Kinabalu: Some 265 participants gathered at the opening day of the KK City Day Karate Cup Championship 2011, which kicked-off at the Kota Kinabalu Community Centre here, yesterday.The tournament, which is organised by the Kota Kinabalu Karate Koi Association of Sabah (PKKKS), involves karate exponents from 25 teams, aged between eight and 45.Participants, who include students from 24 schools from in and around the State capital, Sarawak, Peninsular states as well as from Indonesia, are competing in 32 categories in the five-day event.
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The categories include Individual Kumite (men and women) categories for various age groups (10-11, 12-13, 14-15, 16-17 and 18 and over), Team Kumite (men and women) 16-17 and 18 and over age groups, Individual Kata (boys and girls) 6-10, 11-13 and 14-15 age groups.This year's tournament, which is the third edition, will also include a new event category, which is the Kobudo (weapons skills).Apart from that there is also a Team Kata event for under-16, 16 and over and veteran (40 and over).In his opening speech, Kota Kinabalu Mayor, Datuk Abidin Madingkir said he hoped more schools would form karate teams in order to get more students to take up karate and promote the sport.
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Abidin said karate training is useful and instrumental in helping to develop character, which can also strengthen the spirits, particularly among youngsters."Karate is an activity that can help to keep the body and mind active, hence it is a good option for children and youths to spend their time productively.
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"As we all know, karate is a form of self-defence, which could be useful to both children and adults," he said.Also present at the opening ceremony was President of the Kota Kinabalu Karate Koi Association of Sabah, Loh Beng Hooi, Deputy President, Angus Wong and Kobe Osaka Australia-cum-Australian Kumite Coach, among others.Several City Hall senior officers were also present as well as school headmasters, principals and teachers.Towards this end, Abidin thanked all the sponsors for supporting the event."The involvement and partnership with the private sector in sports is very crucial to help and further develop sports activities in our City and State."Thus I hope your support will continue for the years to come."To the organising committee, I thank you for your hard work and commitment in ensuring the success of this tournament.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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