Top Italian officials attend MKF championships

The Malta Karate Federation (MKF) on Sunday held the National Championships in Kata at the Basketball Pavilion in Ta' Qali.

The one-day event, under the auspices of the World Karate Federation, had a strong participation in all classes. In all, there were 150 martial artists on the entry-list as the tournament was classified in two categories - pre-athletes (6-12 years) and athletes (12 and over).

Master Santo Torre (Black Belt, 7th Dan) and Sensei Giovanni Mallia (Black Belt, 4th Dan and qualified referee) attended the championships to oversee the technical aspects of the sport as well as to supervise the level of refereeing.

The Malta Karate Federation, the only local karate organisation recognised by the world body, has five clubs affiliated in Birkirkara, Fgura, Pembroke, Mgarr and Mtarfa. The MKF is also affiliated to the European Karate Federation and the Malta Olympic Committee.

Last weekend, the MKF also held a refereeing and procedures course conducted by Technical Director Anthony Zammit. There was also a visit by Minister Louis Galea who has been recently handed the responsibility for sport after a Cabinet reshuffle.

Meanwhile, the MKF (malta karate.com) announced that they were selected by the Mediterranean Karate Federation Union to host the Mediterranean Karate Championships in two years' time.

The annual championships, attended by top martial artists from the region, have always attracted great interest also from the international press.