Scores of young karatekas are expected to converge today at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall for the 2010 National Independence Youth Week Junior Karate Championships which gets underway from 11am.

The championships which have attracted 98 entrants might be the biggest in the history of the Guyana Karate Federation even though affected by the absence of those sitting the Caribbean Secondary Schools Examination which is in progress and those who were forced to miss training because of the recent Grade Six assessment examinations.

According to GKF president, Sensei Amir Khouri, he is expecting a high level of competition among the four clubs taking part.

The clubs include Banks DIH Wado Ryu Karate Association which is headed by Sensei Winston Dunbar, the Guyana Karate College headed by Sensei Frank Woon-a-Tai, the Shotokan Karate International Federation Guyana and the International Shotokan Karate Federation of Guyana headed by Khouri.

Banks DIH Wado-Ryu Dojo Club is expected to field 31 participants, the Karate College 29, ISKF 34 and SKIF 4.

Khouri told this newspaper that spectators should not expect changes to the way the competition is usually run.

The eliminations will get underway at noon while the finals will start at 1pm in order for persons not to miss the championship matches.

According to Khouri, the event might run a bit late with the addition of the GKC and the increased number of participants.

The GKF also plans to expand the sport to other regions of Guyana. So far the individual clubs have been carrying this task for the federation which lacks funding.

The ISKF recently expanded its operations to Anna Regina and Berbice while the GWRKA opened dojos at Tuschen, Eccles Primary and Mae’s School.

Khouri said he was pleased with the general increase in membership and was encouraging the involvement of more schools to build on the infrastructure.

The GKF boss also lamented the lack of financial support for the federation.

He cited the high transportation cost as a setback to the development of the sport and said the individual clubs were left to fend for themselves since the federation does not receive any grant from government.

According to Khouri, the situation is getting worse yearly. In the past the ministry would purchase all the trophies for tournaments but now only half of the funds for the purchase of the trophies come from the ministry.

This, Khouri says, is not a good sign for the federation and he is calling for more support from the public and private sectors. (CH)