Kyokushin Karate championship

KUWAIT: Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee of the Second All-Asia Weight Category Championship I.K.O (International Kyokushin Organization) karate Khalid Abdellatif Al-Munaye said all is ready for the championship on Friday which will be held at Kuwait Sports Club under the patronage of Public Authority for Sports (PAS). Al-Munaye was speaking during a press conference in the presence of the Kyokushin Committee Duaa Hussein, International Kyokushin Organization representative Bahaa Omran and Committee rapporteur Dr Haidar Kamal.

Al-Munaye said delegations will start arriving today as the draw will be made tomorrow. He added a course will be held for referees in presence of the President of the Asian Federation of the game, as well as the secretary general. Al-Munaye thanked PAS and its Director General Dr Humoud Fulaiteh for approving and supporting the championship. He also thanked Kuwait Sports Club and its Deputy Chairman Khalid Al-Ghanim to ensure the success of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Duaa Hussein said the Asian championship in one of the strongest that qualify for world championship and Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She said twelve countries will participate, including Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Bahrain, India, UAE, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malaysia, Iran and host country Kuwait. Bahaa Omran said there will be four weights under 70kg, 80kg, 90kg and over 90kg in the competition, adding that Kuwait is the first Arab country that organizes such an event. Competitions will start at 3 pm on Friday at Kuwait Sports Club Hall.

By Abdellatif Sharaa