Karate SA gears up for national championships
THE Karate South Africa (KSA) National Championships this weekend at the Tongaat Sports Centre will feature over 400 children, juniors and cadets from the 30 KSA districts and nine provinces.
KSA president Hanshi Sonny Pillay said there’s great anticipation ahead of the event.
“This event comes like a breath of fresh air to our karate champions who have suffered in silence through the devastation of the Covid-19-infused treatment drought over the past 12 months, hence they are over-anxious to get into the ring to fight for medals and provincial colours. This is a welcome and certainly much awaited return to karate tournaments. We expect fireworks in terms of performance from our athletes as always,” said Pillay.
Pillay said the tournament will allow participants to stake a claim for a place in the national team for the Africa Regions South Championship which will be held in Johannesburg in 2021.
“Our athletes are raring to go as boredom was beginning to set in due to non-activity as a result of the pandemic. Moreover, the interest in the sport of karate was beginning to wane.
“We thank God that the president has relaxed the pandemic protocols to level one so that our tournament organisers, Karate KwaZulu-Natal the hosts, are able to be free in their arrangements,” added Pillay.
KwaZulu-Natal’s top talents who are set to compete include Jared Atkinson, Xander Links, Gregory Reeby, Sanda Mthembu and Damarion Gooberdeen.
No spectators will be allowed and Pillay added that Covid-19 protocols will be adhered at the event.
“There will be Covid-19 screen testing prior to entering the venue, regular sanitisation of the apparel equipment and venue will take place, and the wearing of masks will be compulsory, including during bouts.
There will be social distancing of 1.5m between all athletes and officials at all times and a full complement of medical officials on site from the Tongaat hospital on stand-by,” said an upbeat Pillay.