The Guyana Karate College is celebrating its 40 th anniversary and yesterday the college held a Press conference at Sleep Inn International to highlight the planned activities of the college.

Proud member of the Guyana Japanese Karate Association; Standing (L-R) are Maureen Woon-A-Tai, Rev. Compton Meerabux, Professor Aubrey Mendonca and Nafeeza Rodrigues while sitting from left to right are Vice-Chairman Ian Fung, Frank Woon-A-Tai (Chairman) and Jeffry Wong (Vice Chairman). (Clairmonte Marcus photo)

Speaking to the media, Chairman of the Guyana/Japan Karate Association eighth Dan black belt Frank Woon-A-Tai said that it was amazing that over 40 years had already elapsed since he commenced Guyana’s first Dojo which he said was located in a friend’s garage.

Woon-A-Tai said karate in Guyana had progressed and there was evidence of this progression in the fact that the country has attained 14 gold, eight silver and five bronze medals in Pan American Karate tournaments.

Woon-A-Tai also added that he was proud to be one of four non Japanese karatekas to have risen to the top of the karate world.

The founder and chief of the Guyana Karate College said that the association was being run by well-respected figures and said  they would like to take karate a step forward and use it as a stepping stone in the reduction of crime and to instill in the young the proper traits of  character, sincerity, etiquette and self control.

Woon-A-Tai said Varshni Singh was the patron at the college and had greatly been supporting the association.

The Guyana Karate College plans to set up another facility at Lilliendaal, East Coast Demerara and will host a dinner as its first fund-raising event tomorrow at the Georgetown Club commencing at 19:30hrs where a plan of the college is to be unveiled.