WKF President Antonio Espinós met his AKF counterpart Major General Nasser Alrazooqi in Dubai (UAE) this week

WKF President Antonio Espinós met his AKF counterpart Major General Nasser Alrazooqi in Dubai (UAE) this week. Mr Espinós travelled to the Emirate city to review the preparations of the upcoming World Championships and to discuss the development of the sport in Asia.

The 25^th Senior World Championships will be held in Dubai (UAE) from November 16 to 21, 2021. The event was scheduled to take place this year but had to be postponed to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. As the tournament nears the -300-day mark, WKF President travelled to Dubai to work with the local organising committee in ways to streamline the preparation process to Karate’s biggest event.

“I am convinced that the World Championships in Dubai will be one of the most outstanding events in the history of our sport. President Alrazooqi and his team are doing a great job to ensure the success of the event; after our meeting here, we can assure that the right steps are being taken to maximise all the opportunities and that all the appropriate measures are being implemented in the build-up of the event,” said WKF President Antonio Espinós.

The WKF President discussed the main highlights of the organisation process with the local organising committee, as well as the possible updates due to the application of the COVID-19 countermeasures.

The two leaders also addressed several other important topics, including the development of Karate in Asia and the upcoming activities of the Asian Karate Federation. The situation of the sport in the Asian countries and the effects of the coronavirus pandemic in the area were also addressed.

“I want to thank AKF and UAE Karate Federation President Major General Nasser Alrazooqi for his excellent work to make the most of these uncertain times. With his cooperation and all the efforts from his team, I am sure that Karate will maintain its status as one of the most important sports in Asia,” added Mr Espinós. 

Picture: From left to right: Yemen Karate Federation president Mukhtar H. Saif, AKF and UAE Karate Federation president Major General Nasser Alrazooqi, WKF President Antonio Espinós, Dubai 2021 LOC chairman Humaid Shamis, and UAE Karate Federation director Mohammed Abbas.