Karate prepares for PNG Open

Papua New Guinea Karate Federation (PNGKF) will host the fourth Papua New Guinea (PNG) Open Karate championships in Lae during the Easter weekend in April.

Federation president Carl Mari is urging clubs and associations to confirm their entries with hosts, the Morobe Karate Association executives.

He said the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, National Capital District, Central, Eastern Highlands, Jiwaka, East New Britain, West New Britain, New Ireland, Manus, Madang, Northern and Morobe had expressed their interest.

Mari added it was important for the centres to contact the Morobe executives Rickinson Mekere on 7276 1990, Martin Gervet on 7174 8811 and John Wata on 7260 4041 to confirm their participation.

The tournament has events for seniors (men/women), cadets (15-17yrs) and junior boys and girls.

He said other fighters from other martial arts disciplines such as kungfu, taekwondo and kickboxing were invited to attend the challenge.

Mari is also encouraging provincial community/sports affairs division in PNG to support the athletes going to the tournament. He said it was a lead-up event to the PNG Games in November.

It is one of the annual events in the PNGKF calendar. It is an opportunity for athletes to vie for selections in two separate karate squads to attend two tournaments in Australia and New Zealand respectively.

Mari said the federation would be also scouting for potential karatekas (karate exponents). However, he added that selectors would not be counting on past achievements to secure a spot for the 2015 Pacific Games.

To obtain more information interested persons should contact Mari on 7675 7777 or 7375 7777, Vice-president Roy Stanley on telephone 72987468, Secretary Joe Konaka on 7691 3327 and treasurer Joe Kubul on 7169 0504.