Dubai: International athletes have started arriving for the second International Open Karate Masters Cup, to be held here this weekend.
Organised by the Martial Arts Academy, under the auspices of the UAE Taekwondo and Karate Federation (UAETKF), this competition has attracted nearly 150 karatekas.
The competition will get under way with the registration of participants between 8am and 1pm at the Etisalat Academy today.
The biggest contingent for the event is from Iran, with 90 competitors having arrived at Dubai International Airport yesterday afternoon.
"The Iranian national team have arrived, along with competitors from five clubs," stated Mohammad Abbas Ahmad, assistant general secretary of the UAETKF.
The national teams of Kazakhstan and Belarus were also expected to land in Dubai later during the evening yesterday. Members of the UAE national squad have been preparing for the competition. Al Shabab, from neighbouring Kuwait, are sending a three-member team for the event.
The actual competition will commence from 4pm today with the Kata individual for kids, juniors and seniors. The opening ceremony of the competition will be held at 5pm tomorrow and will be followed by a demonstration of martial arts, boxing and Muay Thai boxing.
"The response has been good, considering that we are organising this competition after three years," stated Vladimir Burdun, coordinator for the two-day event.
The UAE's Ebrahim Al Janahi will be the chief referee, along with assistants and officials from Iran.
"This competition will be a good learning experience for us, and we intend organising a Super League Championship after three months," Ahmad said.
Competition for children and seniors will be held in six weight categories. Juniors will compete in eight categories.
Schedule
Today: 8am to 1pm: Registration of athletes. 1pm-4pm: Draws. 4pm-6pm: Kata individual for kids, juniors and seniors. 6pm-8pm: Kumite individual for kids and juniors.
Tomorrow: 9am to 12 noon: Kumite individual seniors. 12 noon to 4pm: Break. 4pm-5pm: Kumite open. 5pm-5.30pm: Opening ceremony. 5.30pm-7pm: Kata finals; Kumite individual open. 7pm-8.30pm: Team kumite.
