Karate clubs to form umbrella body
Karate bodies have formed a national association with the view of getting recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) so as to be eligible to participate at the Olympic Games.
The clubs came up with the decision after holding a clinic on Saturday at the Capital City Motel in Lilongwe.
Shotokan Karate Academy, Kana Shotokan Karate School and Zashin Shotokan School attended the meeting.
One of the organisers of the meeting Sensei Frank Mvalo, who is chairperson for Kane Karate Academy, said as a country it is important that all karate dojos (clubs) work together by forming an umbrella body.
“We want to start sending athletes to the Olympic Games as you may know IOC has now included karate as an Olympic sport.
“To be able to send a team, we need to have a national federation. We are here today to lay structures towards that,” said Mvalo.
The three clubs trained together under the tutelage of Sensei James Opiyo from Uganda.
“It is important that Malawi has a karate federation. Today we are here training together to form oneness and create that association to be affiliated to the African and World Karate bodies. It’s only after forming such a body that Malawi can take part in international tournaments,” said Opiyo.
Sensei George Tambala of Shotokan Academy also hailed the idea of a national federation.
“If the sport is to grow there is need for united voice and united front to advance the interest of karate in the country. The good thing is that all the three clubs practice shotokan karate,” he said.n
