The Executive Committee of the Asian Karate Federation (AKF) held a significant meeting in Manila, coinciding with the upcoming 2024 AKF Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships. This high-profile tournament, scheduled to take place over the weekend, is set to bring together the most promising karatekas from across Asia, showcasing the future stars of the sport.

The meeting of the AKF Executive Committee was chaired by AKF Vice-president Rashid Al Ali, due to the absence of AKF President Major General Nasser Al Razooqi for unforeseen circumstances and had the President of the World Karate Federation (WKF), Antonio Espinós in attendance. Discussions during the gathering centred around the progress and development of karate across the continent, with a particular focus on the achievements and challenges faced by the National Federations in Asia to further develop the sport. The Executive Committee also addressed the progress and organisation of upcoming top events in the Asian continent.

The hosts and dates of the 2025 Asian Championships were fixed, together with the appointments of the TD and chief referee for the Asian Youth Games in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) in 2025 and the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya (Japan) in 2026.

The AKF Executive Committee also analysed the final preparations for this weekend’s championship. The tournament is anticipated to be a major milestone in the careers of many young karatekas, as they compete for recognition and future opportunities in the sport.

WKF President Antonio Espinós said:

"I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Asian Karate Federation for their exceptional work in hosting this first-class event. Their commitment to promoting karate in Asia is an example for all continental federations, and I am confident that this championship will further elevate the sport across the continent."

"I also want to extend a special recognition to the Karate Federation of the Philippines and its President, Richard Anthony Lim, for their dedication and hard work in bringing this tournament to Manila and for creating a legacy for karate in the country."

“The progress of Karate in Asia is unmistakable, and tournaments such as these AKF Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships highlight how much our sport has progressed and how popular Karate is in Asia.”

As the championship approaches, excitement is building among participants and spectators alike.  The tournament takes place in Manila from Friday, August 23 to Sunday, August 25.

(Top picture: Seated from left to right: AKF General Secretary Che Kuong Yim, John (MAC), AKF Vice President Rashid Al Ali (UAE), WKF President Antonio Espinós and Karate Federation of the Philippines President Richard Anthony Lim (PHI)

Standing from left to right: AKF CEO Vincent Chen (MAS), AKF Executive Committee members Shigeo Kurihara (JPN), Manar Shaath (JOR), Bharat Sharma (IND), Vu Son Ha (VIE), Dr Mushrif Ali Alshehri (KSA), Darly Siregar (INA), Abdulayev Sarsenbay (KAZ), and Dr Adel Idan Ghalan (IRQ).