Karate club in need of funding to attend Philippines event

LAHI Shitoryu Karate Club in Lae, Morobe, needs funding to attend an international event next month.
The club needed K20,000 to send eight athletes to attend the Philippines Open Nishimura Karatedo-Kobudo Cup in Bacoor.
Sensei John Tarapia said the Lahi club was invited by the Philippines Karatedo League to attend the event.
The 5th PKL International Philippine Open will run from March 2-4.
The championship is for both men and women of all ages and will also include “doubles kumite” an exciting team kumite event.
The club will send five men and three women. The athletes will take part in two events — kata and kumite — while Tarapia and his assistant Siwari Matus will attend the judging, refereeing and coaching clinic during the tournament.
Tarapia, while appealing for help from businesses and individuals, said the team need funding for airfare and accommodation. “So far we’ve had no coming forward and time is running out,” Tarapia said.
“We will use this tournament as our platform to prepare for any national event in the country, including the 2020 PNG Games in Mendi, Southern Highlands.
“If we don’t get any sponsorship then the team stays back.”