Ghana to participate in World Karate Championship

Accra, September 17, (GNA) The Unity Shotokan Karate-Do Club and Army of Youth International (USKCAI), one of Ghana's most competitive Karate-Do (Dojos) martial art schools has been invited to participate in the Eighth Shotokan Karate International World Championship scheduled for Dublin, South Africa.

Mr Frank Ebo Sagoe, Media Co-ordinator of USKCAI told the GNA Sports in an interview that the school would send four players, made up of Sensei Shadrach Ato Baffoe, chief instructor of the club, Robert Akoto a Tema based martial artist of distinction, Gerald Antwi and Daniel Anyidoho to challenge for honours at the championship.

The world championship which commences on September 23 will last for two weeks, after which the players will join other international players to undergo series of 'Gasshuku' Martial Arts Training Seminars and a tour of some selected cities in South Africa.

Mr Sagoe said Sensei Michael Kliment, South African Chief Instructor of karate and a double world champion will accompany the players on the trip.

The coordinator said Sensei Sonny Pillay, Eighth Dan Black Belt holder who is the organizer of the world championship and Sensei Stan Smith, Japan Karate Association (JKA) Chief Executive Officer, a Ninth Dan Black Belt holder have expressed their desire to visit Ghana after the tournament.

The trip of the Ghanaian players is being sponsored by Mr Kwame Manu Kumi, chairman of Albion House Enterprise, dealers in vehicular spare parts and Agricultural Steel Mechanics and Mr Lord Foli Kanyi of Local Investments Limited, a computer firm.

Mr Sagoe said Mr Kumi and Lord Kanyi, who will join the players in South Africa at a later date have pledged their continuous assistance to the Ghana Karate-Do Association to ensure that the sport attains a level of respectability on the world map.

He commended the efforts of the sponsors and implored other corporate organisations and individuals to emulate them.