By Abdellatif Sharaa

KUWAIT: The draw for the 5th Arab Clubs Karate Championship for men and women will be held on Wednesday. The event is organized by Yarmouk Club over Thursday and Friday with 150 players representing 17 clubs from 8 countries. The clubs are Yarmouk, Kuwait, Shabab, Burgan and Fatat from Kuwait, Sharjah, Sharjah Women, Shabab Al-Ahli and Ittihad Kalba from UAE, Nasr (Saudi Arabia), Alwehda (Yemen), Um Qasr, Baladiya and Ittihad Albasra (Iraq), Shurta (Syria), Shabab Al-Buraiki (Algeria) and Beit Lahya (Palestine).

Mohammad Al-Qattan

The tournament includes kata singles competitions for men and women and groups on Thursday, while on Friday will see the group combat competition for men and women, followed by the closing ceremony. The general coordinator of the tournament Mohammad Al-Qattan welcomed guests in Kuwait and wished them a pleasant stay. He said Yarmouk Club is hosting the event as karate has developed very well at the club, besides the great facilities the club has to host such an event.

He said the higher organizing committee headed by club President Ahmad Al-Jarki as well as all sub-committees were keen to prepare well for this Arab tournament by removing all obstacles to ensure a brotherly sports atmosphere. "We are pleased with the organization and I expect the tournament will see an advanced technical level as clubs are participating with international professional players," Qattan added.

About the tournament's guests, he said there will be a distinguished presence of game officials in the Arab world including the President of the Arab Karate Federation Ibrahim Al-Qannas from Saudi Arabia, along with federation members, Kuwait Karate Federation President Mohammad Al-Jassem and ambassadors of participating Arab countries.