400 karatekas to compete in Sabah Karate C’ships
KOTA KINABALU: Some 400 karatekas from 20 teams, including a club from Sarawak, will be taking part in the 17th Sabah State Level Cadet, Junior and Under-21 Karate Championships at the sports complex in Likas this weekend.
Sabah Karate Association (SKA) secretary-general Julian Chin said the three-day championship from April 13 to 15 involves athletes, coaches and officials from affiliates in Penampang, Tenghilan, Papar, Tawau, Telupid, Lahad Datu, Tambunan, Kemabong, Kota Belud, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Tamparuli, Kota Kinabalu and Tenom.
Also taking part are clubs from the Penampang Sports Complex, Keningau, Inanam Karate Academy Club, TACFIT Tawau, SMK Bandaraya Menggatal, SMK Tansau Penampang, SM La Salle Kota Kinabalu, SM St Joseph Papar, Shitoryu Main Dojo and Labuan Karate Association.
“There is also a team from the Sarawak Karate-do Association and their presence helps make this championship more prestigious because they have sent their Sukma athletes,” Julian said.
Julian, who is also the organising and competition chairman, added that the event was also a warm-up platform for Sukma athletes from Sabah and that the SKA will be scouting for new talents at the same time.
The event kicked off with a registration session, followed by coaching and referee seminar yesterday.
The competition action at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex Multipurpose Hall starts today.
Sabah Sports Board chairman Datuk Louis Rampas is expected to officiate at the prize presentation and closing ceremony tomorrow afternoon.
Towards this end, Julian thanked everyone for making the event successful, especially the Youth and Sports Ministry, Sabah Sports Council, Sabah Sports Board and Nestle Products Sdn Bhd as well as all participating clubs, teams and associations.