–makes Minister Anthony honorary 6th Dan

CHAIRMAN of the Guyana Karate College and the Guyana International Karate Daigaku (IKD), Master Frank Woon-A-Tai, yesterday donated 26 books dealing with karate as their subject to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport for the Research Centre, and also presented an honorary sixth degree Black Belt on behalf of IKD to subject Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony.The presentation was actually made to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Mr Alfred King, at the Minister’s office on Main Street.

On behalf of Dr. Frank Anthony, King expressed his gratitude to the IDK and Master Woon-A-Tai for the sixth degree black belt, and
indicated that the books donated by Master Woon-A-Tai would be added to the existing stack of books at the Research Centre.

King noted that the Minister’s intention for the development of sports in all disciplines is known to everyone, and added that the Ministry has become aware of the lack of sports education to complement the instructors and coaches that are working with the young generation to take them to the next level.

DEVELOPMENT

“…he (Dr. Frank Anthony) is hoping that, over time, we would have a good collection of books that will see the Resource Centre being turned into a sport institute, so that we can be offering accredited courses that will see our technical people trained and developed…and that will ensure that we offer quality experience to enhance and develop the level of athletes,” King said.

According to King, “Karate is the oldest discipline in the work we have done with young people. Karate would have achieved a number of things in Guyana.”

He reiterated that the Ministry is working with the Karate Association to help develop karate in Guyana.

Chairman of the Guyana Karate College, Master Frank Woon-A-Tai, said the donation of the karate books was in keeping with the pledge made to the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport.

“During my visit last year March… the Minister made a request that I, as well as the Guyana Karate College, donate some books for the Research Library, and I followed my pledge to do so,” he said.

“These books were written by founder of Karate-do, Master Gichin Funakoshi, and world karate advocate, Master Masatoshi Nakayama, 10th Dan.

Master Woon-A-Tai pointed out that the Guyana Karate College would be hosting a recruitment drive from Monday 18 to Friday 22 August, and he is urging those interested to attend.

Additionally, he said that tomorrow, a team of 27 individuals which comprises Team Guyana, is off to Trinidad to take part in the Caribbean Karate Championship under the team manager Vivien Connelly, Treasurer of the Guyana Karate College. The Chairman reflected on the Cup won by the team in Barbados last year as the defending champions. According to him, former President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo graciously granted an acre of land at Liliendaal to build the college. To date, the concrete foundation and steel frames have been laid. To facilitate this building, $25M were gathered from fundraising activities over a period of three years.

He explained that the project of constructing the new college is spearheaded by Ryan Singh, Assistant Treasurer of Guyana Karate College.

(By Sandy Agasen)