KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysia Karate Federation (MAKAF) plans to open academies in six zones across the country to unearth new talent next year.
The six zones involved include the northern, southern, central, East Coast, Sabah and Sarawak regions.
MAKAF president Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad said the federation would finalise plans on these academies through discussions with the National Sports Council (NSC), the National Sports Institute (NSI) and the Education Ministry (MoE) next year at the earliest.
The discussions will involve aspects such as location and allowances for the coaches involved.
“The programmes at these academies, which target the participation of secondary school students aged between 13 and 17, may be conducted during school holidays.
“Therefore, the selection of locations is crucial, where we will look at schools in the six zones that have facilities such as halls and hostels to make this academy a success,” he said.
Nur Azmi told reporters this at the opening ceremony of the National MAKAF Cadet, Junior and Under-21 Karate Championships 2023, officiated by the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka and MAKAF honorary president Tun Mohd Ali Rustam, at the Juara Stadium, Bukit Kiara, here today.
He said MAKAF would select around 60 trainees from all six zones to be absorbed into the development programme, with the potential to represent the country in the future.
Meanwhile, Nur Azmi said the three-day championship starting today would provide an opportunity for MAKAF to identify 12 exponents for the kumite event, and another 10 for the kata event, to be absorbed into the national backup squad.
A total of 523 cadet, junior and Under-21 exponents from 32 clubs, associations and states will compete in the 31st edition of the championship. – December 15, 2023