A sound investment in tourism and the sport of karate that will pay dividends immediately and in the long term.
This was how Karate ng Pilipinas Sports Federation Inc. president Ricky Lim described the country’s hosting of the Karate 1 Youth League presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, set from May 14 to 17 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“This tournament will be a huge boost for local tourism,” said Lim, who revealed that over 1,000 promising karatekas from 58 countries will compete in the four-day meet sanctioned by the World Karate Federation.
Among the delegations sending large contingents are Australia with 78 athletes; Saudi Arabia, 40; Malaysia, 47; New Zealand, 39; Kazakhstan, 27; the United States and Uzbekistan, 19 each; and, of course, the Philippines with 201 athletes from across the country, according to the karate chief.
He pointed out that since “our participants are children, we expect most of their parents to tag along, meaning that we can expect at least double the foreign and local tourists to come to Manila for the competition. In fact, the Malaysian youth team was set to arrive yesterday so they can train with our young local karatekas.”
Lim added that alongside the athletes, officials of the World Karate Federation, led by WKF president Anthony Espinos of Spain, and the Asian Karate Federation will also preside and officiate in the event, which is backed by the Philippine Olympic Committee, SM Group of Companies, Milo, and Lanson Place.
Given the metropolitan appeal and famed hospitality of Filipinos, who are generally fluent in English, Lim said, “we can expect our foreign visitors to use the opportunity to sample the culture, food, sights and sounds of Manila and outside of it.”
“Of course, these visitors can be expected to go shopping, bringing home mementos of their experiences from the trip.”
Lim said the event reflects PSC chairman Pato Gregorio’s advocacy that “sports tourism, when properly done, can serve as a major source of income for our country while providing sustainable jobs for those in the industry.”
“Our collective engagement in hosting the Karate 1 Youth League is a sound investment that will have immediate dividends and beyond.”
The karate chief also emphasized the significance of the global youth karate festival for emerging local athletes, who will compete against international counterparts over four consecutive days in high-level competition.
“Now our young karatekas and their coaches will not have to go overseas to compete against the best of their peers in their respective age group. This would be more expensive,” Lim stressed, noting that the tournament is also supported by Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino, Senators Pia Cayetano and Bong Go, and Citadines Place Manila.
“Now not only will they get to see top-flight karate action but also serves as a learning experience for four straight days,” the karate honcho added.
“Indeed, this is a win-win situation not only for our sport but for local tourism as well.”
