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Sports Minister turns sod for $60M Karate College
Karate Master Frank Woon-a-Tai and Sports Minister Dr. Frank Anthony turning the sod yesterday for the soon to be established first ever Karate College in Guyana.
Persons interested in Karate will soon be given an avenue to further develop the interest as plans currently underway took a step further for the first ever Karate College in Guyana.
Yesterday Sports Minister Dr. Frank Anthony along with Karate Master Frank Woon-a-Tai turned the sod for the construction of the facility. The sod turning ceremony was held on site at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.
During his brief remarks, Woon-a-Tai said the initiative is the brain child of himself and the now decease Ian Fung. According to Woon-a-Tai it all started almost four years ago during a conversation with himself and Fung.
“I said to Mr. Fung that karate is not in the schools physical education curriculum and the discipline should be added…right away he began discussions with the President.”
He added that following discussions with the president he was in favour of the initiative.
However the first hurdle in making this initiative a reality was getting a suitable piece of land for the college.
Woon-a-Tai explained that their first proposal submitted to the Government was a plot of land at the Durban backlands but they were told that that land is already accounted for. The government then offered a plot of land on the West Demerara, but Woon-a-Tai said they Karate Association declined and soon enough they were given the land at Liliendaal.
In addition Woon-a-Tai noted that the Karate Association recently pulled of one of their best tournaments ever hence the support from the business community.
He further noted that with the opening of the college it is hope that the discipline will in some way help to curb the cycle of crime in Today’s society. He noted too that given the values which the sport teaches, youths should get more involved.
Also on the occasion Sports Minister Dr. Frank Anthony noted that he is more than pleased with the initiative as it is not only symbolic for sports locally but generally. He noted that very often persons within the different sports discipline call for their areas to be developed as it relates to infrastructure but fail to show their independence.
“This is different…the Association came with a plan and showed what they could do for themselves and not just ask for us (the Government) to do everything.”
In addition the Minister noted that it is commendable that the Karate Association recognizes that the discipline is beneficial to the society.
“With the establishment of this college Guyana will see the long term development of the sport, and this is something the Ministry is looking at.”
The facility is expected to be completed in a years’ time and will be opened to persons interested in the discipline.
The Government of Guyana leased the GKC an acre of land at Liliendaal one year ago after Chief Instructor Master Frank Woon-A-Tai, the late Ian Fung and Wong had approached President Bharrat Jagdeo.
The lease will be for 50 years and according to Wong the facility will take on the form of traditional Japanese dojos.
Currently the Guyana Karate College has a temporary facility at the Malteenoes Sports Club from where they operate.
(Jenelle Carter)
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