-over 200 overseas karatekas expected
By Marlon Munroe
Chief Instructor of the Guyana Karate College (GKC) Master Frank Woon-A-Tai said the major systems are in place for Guyana’s hosting of the 11th International Shotokan Federation (ISKF) Pan American Karate Championships.
The tournament is scheduled for August 12-15 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall and twelve countries will now be participating after 20 had initially responded to the organising committee of the championships.
Woon-A-Tai told Stabroek Sport yesterday that over 200 overseas karatekas will be converging on the CASH and the Canadians are expected on Monday morning at 07:00 hours. Woon-A-Tai reported that the organising committee has met 70% of the sponsorship target, which was set at $8 million. And sponsors are still coming on board to support the GKC.
On Monday Woon-A-Tai disclosed that he and the tournament’s technical committee will be inspecting the CASH to ensure that the renovation works that were promised by the Sport Ministry have been completed. Stabroek Sport was told that work was supposed to have been done to the lavatory area and fans were to be installed.
In terms of accommodation the majority of the overseas contingent will be staying at the Princess Hotel while a smaller number will be housed at the Sky View Hotel.
Meanwhile, the Co-Vice Chairman of the Technical Committee said that alternative arrangements are in place should other countries make late requests to attend the meet.
Teams that are confirmed at this time are Guyana, Canada, USA, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Grenada, Dominica, St. Lucia, Venezuela and Suriname.
Woon-A-Tai, who is Chairman of the ISKF in Canada and Guyana, stated that it was regrettable that some of the South American countries will not be able to attend the championships. However, he was sympathetic with their plight since their respective teams will have to travel to Miami and then to Guyana, which is a costly venture.
Nevertheless, he emphasized that the championships, returning to Guyana since 1989, will be of a high standard. He noted also that the event will be a historical one since the top brass of the ISKF will be at the tournament.
Two such officials in the top echelons of the ISKF are Masters Teruyuki Okazaki and Yutaka Yaguchi who will be hosting a training symposium, seminars, and examinations that will be sanctioned by the ISKF, at the Princess Hotel.
Next Friday Okazaki and Yaguchi will be receiving the ‘key to the city’ and a parade from City Hall to the Promenade Gardens will follow with the karatekas competing in the tournament.
For this reason also the Caribbean Karate College (CKC) president believes that the level of competition will be intense. Speaking on Guyana’s preparation, he said that the 70 local karatekas are well prepared for the championships that will feature individual and team kata and kumite.
He revealed that Guyana’s only disadvantage going into the event is that there are not many adult female karatekas but he is positive that the country will do well with its resources. There is only one black belt, Natalie Gibson, who cannot compete in the kata because of an injury.
On the other hand, he pointed out that Guyana is fielding a youthful team and it includes karatekas coming from the Guyana Karate College (GKC) and the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) dojos. He said that some countries will be bringing as many as four adult females, who are above second Dan black belts.
