The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Preparing to welcome the world of karate
City will host 2,500 athletes and 1,500 coaches and supporters
Marquees will be used to extend Dundee Ice Arena when the city hosts the world’s largest martial arts tournament next year.
The Seventh World Union of Karate Federations (WUKF) World Championships will take place in Dundee from June 14 to 17 next year.
With just one year to go until the tournament begins, preparations are already well under way for the event.
More than 2,500 athletes will descend on Dundee for the competition, as well as another 1,500 coaches and supporters.
Organiser Roy O’Kane, sensei of Dundee sports club of the year Kanzen Karate, said the event will help put the city on the sporting map and deliver a huge boost for the local economy.
He said: “It’s a year to go and with 2,500 competing athletes, it is the biggest martial arts tournament in the world.
“We originally looked at staging it at the AECC in Aberdeen but we wanted to do it in Dundee.
“The Ice Arena wasn’t quite big enough so we will be putting up marquees at the front and back which will be used for warm ups, food and other stalls.”
As well as the main event at Dundee Ice Arena, there will also be a marquee set up in Dundee City Square for teams to practise in before the tournament starts.
The event is being organised with support from Dundee City Council, Leisure and Culture Dundee and other organisations and businesses, including Dundee and Angus Convention Bureau and Apex Hotels.
It will cost around £200,000 to stage the competition. Most of the funding is already in place, but Mr O’Kane said they will be looking for businesses to provide sponsorship.
Dundee City Council’s administration leader, councillor John Alexander, said: “The city will be proud to host the event and it will bring a significant boost to our local economy.”