World karate championships headed to city

ONE of the city’s leading games firms has announced its financial backing for the upcoming World Karate Championships being held in Dundee.

The World Union of Karate Federation (WUKF) 2018 competition will see athletes and karate enthusiasts of all ages converge on the city next month.

More than 4,000 of the world’s f oremost selfdefence experts will be in attendance, with the event described as a coup for Dundee.

Entrepreneur Chris van der Kuyl, the chairman of games company 4J Studios, has been unveiled as the competition’s corporate sponsor.

It is estimated the event could generate up to £10 million with visitors’ spending in and around the city.

The Kanzen Karate Scotland president and WUKF Dundee 2018 committee chairman, sensei Roy O’Kane, said: “I am proud the WUKF World Karate Championships is being backed by 4J Studios.

“It is only with the generous support of businesses and organisations that hosting this event is even possible.

“I’m sure Dundee will open its arms to our international visitors and help ensure WUKF Dundee 2018 is a tremendous success.”

Mr van der Kuyl said: “We are delighted to be supporting the championships.

“This is exactly the type of ambitious event Dundee should be attracting on a regular basis, with thousands of international visitors and a significant economic impact.

“We are proud to be part of it. The team at Kanzen Karate have done an amazing job in securing this event and we wish them every success with it.”

The championships will be held at Dundee Ice Arena from June 12-17.