Junior karate championships attracts record number of entries

The Guyana Karate Federation is ready to stage its all-styles national junior championships on Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall at 10am, Chief Instructor, Amir Khouri, said.

Khouri noted that this is the largest of all the karate tournaments ever  held here  since there are over 129 registered competitors.

Amir Khouri

He emphasized that karate is not only a sport but a way of life that people can relate to, and it has several benefits such as being able to control and  develop one’s character.

Khouri noted that it’s a non-contact sport which allows persons to develop a sense of control and also to become mentally stronger.

Meanwhile, members are slated to represent Guyana in the IKD Shoto Cup in Canada in July this year.

“July 3-8 we will be in Canada. We want to let the business community know that we are going out there to represent our country and we need as much assistance as possible,” Khouri said.

He also told Stabroek Sport he hopes that persons come on board to assist with the sponsorship since it is very expensive to cover the participation of the members.

“I would like to take this opportunity to relate to the business community as well as influential members of the public, government organizations or whoever can assist us in any way they can to support us because our youths are guaranteed to be bring back medals for our country.”

It was noted that since 2006 most of the competitors from Guyana were medalists in the overseas tournament. It was also stated that even at the recently-held 2010 Pan-American championship that was held here all the youths were among the medalists.

“We have youngsters with triple gold medals at that tournament. We have some with two gold and a silver, some with two gold and a bronze…”