The World Karate Federation (UPAM) expects to stage a world championship in Tanzania in December this year or earlier 2015 to boost the country’s spirit in karate.
UPAM President Maurizio Martina told journalists in Dar es Salaam on Monday they have thought of Tanzania as the best place for staging a world karate competition and they hope they will get the support of the government.
“Tomorrow (today) I will travel to Dodoma to discuss the matter with the Minister for Information, Youth, Culture and Sports, Fenella Mukangara, and we’ll later convene a press meeting to confirm the exact date when the championship will start,” he said.
Martina, the world karate champion from 1982 to 1986, said there are also some countries which have shown interest in hosting the world’s biggest karate event.
“Countries like Congo, Zimbabwe and South Africa are interested in hosting this event, but we believe Tanzania is the best place for the competition,” he said. He noted that if the tournament will take place in the country, between 5,000 and 15,000 people will participate.
By FRANK KIMARO, Tanzania Daily News
