Games entrepreneur happy to kickstart big karate summer

Leading gaming company supports world championships

One of the city’s leading games firms has announced its financial backing for the upcoming World Karate Championships due to be 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 in June.

More than 4,000 of the world’s foremost self-defence 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 for the local economy 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 that the WUKF World Karate Championships is being backed by 4J Studios, one of the world’s leading computer gaming companies.

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

“The success of 4J Studios epitomises everything that is great about Dundee and we are delighted to have such a successful international company supporting the event. I’m sure Dundee will open its arms to our international visitors and help ensure that WUKF Dundee 2018 is a tremendous success.”

Mr Van der Kuyl said: “We are delighted to be supporting Kanzen Karate Scotland and the city of Dundee hosting the WUKF World Karate Championships for All Ages next month.

“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. We should always be aiming high as a city and this is a perfect example of us doing just that. The team at Kanzen Karate have done an amazing job in securing this event and we wish them every success with it.”

The 7th WUKF World Karate Championships for All Ages will be held at Dundee Ice Arena from June 12-17.

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

Picture: Kim Cessford. From left: Kanzen instructor Ben Slaney, Chris Van Der Kuyl, European champion Cerys Hawes and sensei Roy O’Kane at 4J Studios on Camperdown Street, Dundee.