87 karatekas join National Back-up Selection
KOTA KINABALU: A total of 87 hopeful state karatekas joined in the National Karate Back-up Athletes Selection Programme held at the Sabah Karate Association (SKA) Main Dojo in Likas recently.
Malaysia Karate Federation (Makaf) in collaboration with SKA conducted the selection process, said SKA secretary general Julian Chin.
According to him, the state participants were from Sandakan, Beluran, Kinabatangan, Telupid, Tambunan, Keningau, Tenom, Tenghilan, Kota Kinabalu and Papar.
“The programme, apart from trying to identify potential athletes to be roped into the national back-up squad, is also a platform to select national karatekas from Sabah.
“However, there is still no decision who will be selected...it is only expected to be finalised at the next Makaf meeting,” he said here on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Julian informed that SKA is now focusing on preparation for the 20th Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Johor next year.
He said several athletes have been called up for the state centralised training since early March.
“Training is going on smoothly,” assured Julian.
The 20th edition of the country’s premier multisport event was originally scheduled in July last year but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been postponed to 2022.
Julian said SKA will conduct its Annual General Meeting (AGM) here on May 29.