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18th March, 2010
KOTA KINABALU: The Association of Karate KOI Kota Kinabalu Sabah (Persatuan Karate KOI KK Sabah or PKKKKS), which is affiliated to Kobe Osaka International, will be organising the KK Open Karate Cup 2010 from March 19 to 21 at the Kota Kinabalu Community Centre, with the assistance from Kota Kinabalu City Hall.
Registration of participants will start on March 19, while a Referees’ Seminar will be conducted on March 20.
The tournament will be officially opened on March 21 by Datuk Iliyas Ibrahim, Mayor of Kota Kinabalu City, who is also the patron of PKKKKS.
For the seminar, Sensei Loh Beng Hooi will be conducting a briefing for the referees and judges to enlighten and refresh their knowledge on the World Karate Federation Kumite and Kata rules, with modification for the children’s events to ensure safety and ease in refereeing.
About 200 karatekas are expected to participate in the tournament, which is divided into 24 categories, ranging from 8 years old up to above 21 years of age. Among the countries that have confirmed participation include Vietnam, The Philippines and Indonesia, including individual karate clubs in Malaysia namely Shotoshinkai Malaysia, KSKA Terengganu, Karatenomichi Malaysia, Labuan Karate Association, Kanasawa Ryu Sabah, Malaysia Shitoryu, Karate Kempo Kalis Association, Persatuan Kendo & Shotokan Budokan, Isshin Ryu of Penang, Royal Malaysian Police, Asahi Karate Association of Sarawak, Immigresen Karate Club, Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu Karate Club and karate clubs from schools, i.e., SM Sains Sabah, Maktab Sabah, Seri Insan Secondary School, Sabah Tshung Tshin Secondary School and the karatekas from the host, Karateklubb (KOS).
The format of the tournament is slightly different this year as the organising committee has added the Kobudo category, which is the Kata for weapons.
The tournament will also have overseas referees such as Mohd. Farouk from Doha, Qatar, who is a qualified Asian Karate Federation Kumite referee and Kata judge, and also a referee from Vietnam as the officials of this competition.
Kota Kinabalu City Hall is pleased to note that through the encouragement of parents, many children are participating in this event.
The purpose of the tournament are to provide a chance for the youngsters of the city to be self-reliant in terms of self-defence and self-discipline and also to further develop themselves personally while enhancing their self-confidence.
The event will also certainly promote a healthy lifestyle through sports among the participants.
Among the organisations who have contributed towards this event are Malaysian Red Crescent Society Sabah Branch, Tatami staff, Nestle, management and staff of Sutera Harbour Resort, staff of Likas Sports Complex and Kota Kinabalu City Hall, kompang troupe from Seri Insan Primary School, lion dance troupe from RELA Dah Yeh and Digi Communications.
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