MIRI: Sarawak has been given the honour to host the 22nd Malaysian Karate Federation (Makaf) Cadet and Junior National Karate Championship with Miri Stadium here chosen as the competition venue.
“This is the first time that the state got chosen to host the National karate meet. The Sarawak Karate Association (Saka) will be working closely together with Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) to organise the championship from March 17to 18 in Miri.
“We will ensure the event will be a huge success. It is estimated that 380 exponents from 18 affiliates of Makaf will take part in the two-day championship,” informed organising chairman Harifen Mansur Harifen at the launching of the competition mascot yesterday.
“There will be 32 karate events in the Cadet, Junior and Under-21 categories. The purpose or organising the championship is for us to scout for potential talents for the national karate back-up squad,” added Harifen who is also the Miri Division MSNS officer.
The participating teams and number of exponents are Sarawak with 44, Hayashi-ha 42, Sabah 41, Penang 37, Perak 37, Melaka 25, Johor 24, Negeri Sembilan 23, KL 19, Kedah 17, Pahang 17, Goshinryu 14, Putrajaya 12, Labuan 7, Mask 7, Shorinryu 6, Gojukai 4 and Selangor 4.
“The official unveiling of the competition logo will be made by MSNS director Francis Nyurang Ding while the championship is expected to be declared open by Minister of Social Development Tan Sri William Mawan and the Melaka chief minister cum Makaf president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam,” informed Harifen.
Also present at the unveiling of the mascot by Nyurang were Saka vice president Nurliza Talhah, secretary Al-Harir Muhammed and treasurer Ngui Siou Fong.