Accra, July 6, GNA - The first national Karate championship under the auspices of the Ghana Karate-Do Association (GKA) will begin on Friday, July 9 and end the on Saturday, July 10.

Sensei Melvin Brown, acting chairman of the championship's technical committee, told the GNA Sports on Tuesday the aim of the championship was to identify and draft new karate talents into the national team to represent Ghana at the up coming African Zone Three karate championship slated for Cotonou, Benin in August.

He pointed out that the main problem of the association was lack of sponsorship and support and appealed to benevolent companies, sports investors and NGO's to support the Association by making donations to its office at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Sensei Kwabena Poku, a leading member of the technical committee reiterated recent favourable media publications on the performances of their members in world karate championship and assured would be donors that karatekas (karate players) would bring more honours to the nation if they received the needed support.
"At least, our members have shown that the Ghanaian karatekas and martial artist, when given the chance, can prove to the world that Ghana is the home of champions," he said.
The media coordinator of the association Mr. Frank Ebo Sagoe said that GKA chairman Capt. George Maude RTD, Sensei Frank Danso Bekoe, Prince Wilson, Sardisu Mahama and Sylvester Yao Davis, all affiliate Union of African Karate Associations (UFOAK) judges and its general secretary, Patrick Anyidowu-Cosie are expected to officiate at the tournament.
He appealed to all participants to note that the weigh-in time for the championship ends at 3p.m. on Friday July 9.