Chief Instructor of the Guyana Karate College (GKC) Master Frank Woon- A-Tai is pleased that the institution’s membership has increased since his last visit to Guyana, and he also noted that the newly-formed Canada-based International Karate Daigaku (IDK) is thriving.
“When I last visited Guyana in November after the 11th International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) which was held in August, I saw one set of faces and this time around there are more faces than the last which tells me the college is growing.
“That in itself highlights the work put in by Sensei Jeffrey Wong who has been taking the students through their paces and I wish to extend heartfelt gratitude to him for the hard work and commitment he has shown towards the GKC.”
Woon-A-Tai, who was at the time visiting the GKC’s site at Liliendaal where the permanent structure will be built, also commended Wong for spreading the arms of the GKC to the outskirts of Georgetown, following the formation of the Timehri and Anna Regina dojos.
“I visited the Timehri dojo last week and they are very strong, another testament of Sensei Wong’s hard work since the formation of the GKC five years ago. Since knowing him, his unselfish attitude has worked wonders in the karate fraternity here in Guyana and he has been of tremendous assistance in the growing of the GKC in my absence,” Woon-A-Tai said.
Grading exams
According to Woon-A-Tai, grading examinations for students will be held today in Anna Regina and tomorrow at the YMCA dojo.
On the other hand, a special meeting for instructors and trainers will be held today with Woon-A-Tai to discuss and share his plans for the IDK, which has grown rapidly since its formation two months ago.
“Already, we have 18 countries, 24 organizations and 124 dojos from across the world, attached to the IDK, with countries such as French Guiana, Suriname, Venezuela, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, United States of America, Puerto Rico and Jamaica just to name a few, being affiliated to the IDK.”
He added, “In Canada, the homeland of the IDK, we have eight of 10 provinces affiliated to the IDK which is in no way connected to the ISKF and on a weekly basis, applications are pouring in from countries, with at times two to three applications being received for processing and that in itself is wonderful for the IDK, which is my first internationally owned organization.”
Other plans for the IKD at this time include: a camp which will be held from June 17-21 in Toronto, Canada where a mass will be held by Father Meera Beaux to administer the oath of office to the chief instructor of the IDK Master Woon-A-Tai, his deputies, wife Maureen Woon-A-Tai and Trinidad and Tobago’s Dr. Dexter Shim.
“Apart from teaching karate to those who are willing to practice the art, one of the aims of the IDK is to reach out to the less fortunate and this will be a continuous project whenever I come to Guyana,” explained Woon-A-Tai.
