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The Papua New Guinea Karate Federation (PNGKF) has officially announced the participation of karate as an optional sport in the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Games to be held in Kokopo, East New Britain in November.
Federation President Carl Mari has urged clubs to prepare for the games. They have been asked to contact their respective provincial sports office to be included in their squad. He said that all clubs in Morobe should contact Rickinson Mekere on 72524841. All clubs in Madang should contact Andrew Tukiki on 76022015 and those in Central should contact Vice-president Roy Stanley on 72987468.
Associations wanting more details can contact the executives:
- President, Carl Mari – 76757777;
- Vice-president, Roy Stanley – 72987468, and;
- Secretary, Joe Konaka – 76913327.
Mari also thanked the National Sport Federation and the East New Britain Games Committee for including karate in the games. He also said it would be an opportunity for the grassroots to partake in national championships and allow the PNGKF to scout for candidates for regional and international competitions including the 2015 Pacific Pames to be held in Port Moresby.
Great news for PNG fighters. However, they should be clear which rule they would be following. Is it full-contact? semi-contact? or just point sparring etc? Our fighters struggled at the Pacific Games last year because they were expecting a full contact match but got a point sparring match where most felt out of place in.
You are right Andrew. Sempai Sailas also expressed the same sentiments. However, I would have expected the fighters to have adjusted themselves to the situation. Anyway, I’ve heard that the next Pacific Games in Port Moresby will be semi-contact.