State-level karate event soon

Staff REPORTER*

ITANAGAR, Sep 01: The Arunachal Pradesh Amateur Karate-Do Association (APAKA) on Wednesday announced plans to organise a state-level championship and seminar in the coming months.

Addressing a press conference here at the Press Club here, APAKA president Yarda Nikki advised the karate students of all district-based clubs to start practicing to participate in this championship.

He said the state government will sponsor the gold medallist of the state-level championship to participate in various karate events at the national and international levels.

“Due to the Covid-19 situation, many have lost the opportunity to participate in the world championship. So, to provide an opportunity to the talented and enthusiastic karate players of the state, APAKA has decided to organise the championship and seminar,” he added.

Clarifying about allegations on social media platforms, APAKA general secretary John Bagang said the association is registered with the state government and affiliated to the Karate India Organization (KIO), a provisional member of the World Karate Federation and Asian Karate Federation (AKF) recognised by the International Olympic Committee.

APAKA has been established for the promotion of various karate programmes and activities within the state and has been active for the past three years, he added.

Bagang thanked chief minister Pema Khandu and Sports and Youth Affairs minister Mama Natung for their support.

“We do believe that the state government will continue to support the association in taking initiatives to help talented youths and in the growth of the state as a whole,” he said.

He also thanked the authorities of KIO and AKF for trusting APAKA by granting affiliation.