Sheikha Maitha attends IKF meet as Asian head

Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is the President of the Asian Karate association, will today attend the International Karate Federation (IKF) Congress in Marseille, France, on the eve of the World Youth Championship.

Sheikha Maitha was named Asian Karate President by the IKF during the World Karate Championship in Spain last year.

The meeting will discuss ways to develop and promote karate in the world.

Meanwhile, the UAE national karate girls team will continue training in Marseille in preparation for the third World Youth Championship which will begin in the French city tomorrow.

Other members of the UAE karate team, who are in France but will not be participating in the championships, will train with the team to increase their experience and fitness.

The official programme for the World Karate Championship began last Sunday with the International karate referees exams. Five UAE referees participated. The exams will conclude today.

Issa Saif, adminstrator of the UAE national team, and trainer Samir Juma, have requested permission from the organisers for more UAE karatekas to participate at the world championships to gain international experience.

They were informed that the request would be reviewed at the technical committee meeeting which was scheduled to be held late last night.

The draw for the championship will be held at the IKF Congress at 4 pm today. In addition meetings for team's managers, trainers and medical committee will also be held today.

Antonio Spinos, the IKF chairman invited tonight all the IKF members, heads of delegations and IKF committees members for a dinner in the honor of organisers of the World Karate Youth Championship.

The Championships will start tomorrow morning with the Katas and will continue on Saturday and Sunday. The official opening ceremony will at 7 pm tomorrow and the closing ceremony will be on Sunday at 8 pm.