Full-contact Karate from Tuesday

Kathmandu, April 7

Nepal  Kyokushin Karate-Do Association Bajra is organising the 19th Men’s  National Open and 12th Women’s Weight Category Full-contact Karate  Tournament here at the Olympian semi-covered hall from  April 11-12.

A total of 130 karatekas — 90 men and 40 women — from five  development regions will compete in the tournament, informed President Jagat Prasad Gauchan at a press meet today. “We  continue organising such types of tournaments to provide platform to  players and for developing professionalism in the sport,” he said.

Top four players in the men’s open category will  receive Rs 30,000, Rs 15,000, Rs 75,00 and Rs 3,000 respectively, while the winners in women’s weight categories will get Rs 5,000, Rs 2,500, Rs  1,200 and Rs 500 respectively. The organisers would provide accommodation to all the participating teams.

Gauchan informed that the estimated  budget for the tournament was Rs 1.1 million. “We tried to convince corporate houses to sponsor the tournament but they were not interested in putting their money in contact games. So the association will bear 50 per cent of the amount and we will collect the remaining money from donations,” he added.