Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, January 1:

Nepal Kwanmukan Karate Do Association (NKMKA) has completed the final preparations for the upcoming first All Karate Open International Championship and Technical and Referee Seminar 2005 to be held from January 5-10 in Kathmandu. “We have completed all the preparations on time,” said the organisers at a press meet here at a press meet today.

Promoted by Nepal Tourism Board, the tournament is being held under the auspices of National Sports Council and direction of USA Karate Federation. “Till date, 21 out of 60 countries invited have confirmed for the participation for the championship in which two teams from Nepal will take part,” said Janak Subedi, president of NKMKA.

India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are the confirmed South Asian countries.

Nepal Karate Federation is fielding their ‘A’ team that took part in the ninth SAF Games held in Pakistan and another team from Nepal Kwanmukan Karate Do Association will take part in the championship. “We selected junior players from all disciplines of karate, while in senior section we are sending the national players,” said Purendra Bikram Lakhe, secretary of Nepal Karate Federation. The organisers are expecting more than 250 players in 20 different weight categories. The categories include Under-30kg, 30-35kg, 35-40kg, 40-45kg and 45-50kg in junior boys section, and 30kg, 35kg, 40kg, and 45kg in girls’ section. There are seven weight categories in senior men’s section — U-55kg, 55-60kg, 60-65kg, 65-70kg, 70-75kg, 75-80kg, and above 80kg and four in women’s section — 48kg, 53kg, 60kg and above 60kg. Besides these, the athletes will also take part in individual and team kata in both sections.

The registration fees for the foreign players is $50 for individuals, and $100 for team, while those who attend technical and referee seminar have to pay $75 for each.

According to the organisers, the estimated cost of the tournament is Rs 7 million, which includes airfare for the grand masters. “We have already spent Rs 2.5 million, but have not been able to get sponsors yet,” said the NKMKA president Subedi.

“We hope through the entrance fees we will meet our expenses for the event,” Subedi added.