Phl karatedo to host SEA tourney

MANILA, Philippines - As part of the national team’s build-up for the Myanmar Southeast Asian Games, the Philippine Karatedo Federation will host the second Southeast Asian Karatedo Championships from April 17-21 at Fontana Hot Springs and Leisure Parks inside Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles City, Pampanga.

“We will use the competition not only as part of our national team tryouts but also to scout our opposition at the Myanmar SEA Games,” said PKF secretary general Raymund Lee Reyes in yesterday’s PSA forum at Shakey’s Malate branch.

Expected to see action in the competition will be over 200 athletes from the 11 member countries in SEA Karatedo Federation (SEAKF), said Reyes, who was joined in the session sponsored by Shakey’s and Pagcor by PKF officials Dr. Enrico Vasquez and Rommel Raymundo and Fontana sales manager Jean Alonte.

He added that SEAKF secretary general Vincent Chen of Malaysia was scheduled to arrive yesterday and would inspect the facilities at the tournament venue, which has become a popular recreation, leisure and entertainment spot in Central Luzon.

“Fontana is proud and privileged to be able to host this big international karate tournament,” said Alonte, whose sprawling resort complex features a world-class golf course, hot springs, 70 hotel rooms, villas and a 600-capacity conference hall where the competitions will be staged.

Reyes said that current national team members will be back to test their mettle against the region’s best during the SEA competitions.