THE Master Frank Woon-A-Tai Budokan in Liliendaal, East Coast was officially opened yesterday by Guyana’s Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips.
The Prime Minister was afforded a ‘Red Carpet’ entrance before cutting the ribbon to officially open the soon to be fully completed, home of Karate in Guyana.
The facility will serve as the headquarters of the International Karate Daigaku, which was formed by Master Woon-A-Tai, and recognised by 58 counties
When fully completed, the building will have four training halls- a large one measuring 42’x105’, a medium one and two smaller spaces.

It will also comprise a viewing area for spectators, administrative offices, instructors’ lounge and storage area.
The facility has been under construction since 2010 on land made available by the then President, Bharrat Jagdeo.
Yesterday the Prime Minister was taken on a tour of the building by Master Woon-A-Tai

The opening Ceremony was attended by delegates from countries participating in the International Karate Diagaku 4th World Cup scheduled from today to Sunday at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown.
The opening of what is anticipated to be a very impressive facility, was also attended by the Woon-a-Tai family, the first female Vice Chanceller of the University of Guyana (UG) Paloma Mohamed and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Education and Director of Confucius Institute of UG, Al Creighton.

Also present were the Association of Shotokan Karate (Guyana) ISKF President, David Berstein and a number of senior International Karate Daigaku officials including:- the Chairman and Chief Instructor, 9th Degree Black Belt; Deputy Chief Instructor, Shihan Dr. Dexter Shim 8th Degree Black Belt; Shihan Alice Bernstein 7th Degree Black Belt; 89-year-old President of the Guyana Karate College (GKC), Rev Compton Meerabux and National Security Adviser to President Irfaan Ali, Captain Gerry Gouveia, among others.
The Prime Minster, who spoke on behalf of President Ali, told the large gathering that he was pleased to ‘open’ the headquarters of Karate in Guyana.
“Many grew up seeing Bruce Lee, Jet Lee and Jacky Chan in Karate Movies and the establishment of this Headquarters for Karate will have many benefits for the sport in Guyana.
“Karate teaches Respect, Discipline and self-control and this facility will make Karate more assessable to everyone” posited Prime Minister Phillips who added that he was disappointed the Karate was not in the Olympics.
The unveiling of the ‘Gate’ to the other side was done by the Prime Minister and Master Woon-A-Tai and featured Masters Okazaki, Nakayama (who came here in 1974), Nishiyama and Funakoshi who all gone over to the other side.
Several persons including Master Woon-A-Tai received awards for their contribution to Karate in Guyana while Master Woon-A-Tai’s daughter who was born in Jamaica, made a donation of $1 million Guyana dollars.
Meanwhile, twenty-five countries will compete from today in the four-day International Karate Diagaku 4th World Cup at the Gymnasium.
Admission to this event is $1,000 for a day pass and $3,000 for a four-day pass.

The activities began yesterday with technical seminars and exams for Masters and Judges at the Sleep-in Hotel Casino Banquet Hall.
The action on the mat commences today from 09:00hrs with the opening Ceremony and Kyu (s), team Kata/Bunkai, Eliminations and Kyu finals.
This Karate World Cup is being sponsored by the Guyana Government and the Ministry of Culture Youth and sports.