Karate impress Games Minister

 By JOHN PANGKATANA

MINISTER for Sports and 2015 Pacific Games Justin Tkatchenko was given a positive insight into the progress of karate during the national championships staged at the Sir John Guise Indoor Complex in Port Moresby.

The championship, which was staged over the weekend, drew 22 clubs from around the country. It was also the first pre-selection tournament to identify potential fighters for the 2015 Pacific Games.

Yesterday, Tkatchenko gave the thumbs up to the administrators of the sport and commended Papua New Guinea Karate Federation president Karl Mari and his administrators for their management towards raising the bar.

The Moresby South MP, speaking to all competitors that came from all around the country, said karate was one of those sports that had made good use of its funding derived from the Sports Enhancement Program through the Sports Ministry.

“Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and his Government want to see all sports taking part to win as many medals as they can, and I challenge you all to strive to win the 18 gold, 18 silver and 36 bronze on offer,” he said.

He said karate suffered in the past administratively but now he was confident with the new direction that had been taken … the sport would be ready to do PNG proud in 2015.

Tkatchenko also congratulated teams from around the country for making the effort to come to Port Moresby.

“I look forward to working closely with karate PNG in our endeavours to be ready in 2015,” he added.

The full results of the championship was not available as of late yesterday.