Shillong, Aug 22: The 30th Inter School and 12th Inter College Karate Tournament, organised by the All Meghalaya Karate-Do Association, began at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) campus at NEHU here on Thursday.

A record 609 karatekas are participating this year, an increase of around 100 on 2023’s tournament. The participants have been drawn from 95 different schools and seven colleges within Meghalaya.

The three-day event, which is supported by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, will witness kata (demonstration of form) and kumite (sparring) by the young karatekas, who have spent weeks and months training for this state competition.

Nearly half of all participants are under the age of 10, a huge proportion that makes clear how popular karate is in the state. This was noted by the dignitaries who spoke at the inauguration.

The chief guest was Isawanda Laloo, Secretary of the Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Government of Meghalaya. Other important guests included the Working President and General Secretary of the Meghalaya State Olympic Association, John F Kharshiing and Finely L Pariat, respectively.

Laloo said that very few sports associations in the state have had the success of AMKA, which has produced hundreds of national medallists, not to mention karatekas who have represented India at the South Asian Games and Asian Games.

“Investment in children today will translate into success tomorrow,” the Secretary said. “We understand the importance of catching kids young – finding those with skill and innate talent and giving them the opportunities to excel further. The government’s efforts have been in this regard working together with the MSOA and sports associations.”

Kharshiing noted that the inter-school section of the karate championship has reached its milestone 30th edition. “I congratulate AMKA for its consistency in hosting this event. That is how it has so many karatekas taking part. This is one of the biggest associations in terms of athletes and AMKA deserves recognition for that,” he said.

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