MANILA -- The Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP) announced on Saturday the staging of the 2nd National Students Karate Championships at SM Calamba in Laguna on April 5.
The tournament features men's individual kumite in the -60 kg., -67 kg., -75 kg., -84 kg., and +84 kg. categories and women's individual kumite in the -50 kg., -55 kg., -61 kg., -68 kg., and +68 kg. categories.
The Philippine Karatedo Federation, Inc., headed by Jose Manansala and secretary general Nestor Asido, will handle the technical aspect of the competition.
FESSAP members Philippine Inter-Schools Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (PISCUAA) and State Colleges Athletic Association (SCUAA) are organizing the tournament, which will select the country's representatives to the 11th World University Karate Championships to be held in Kobe, Japan on July 19 to 22.
A member of the International University Sports Federation since 2009, FESSAP has welcomed the support of Calamba Mayor Justin Marc Chipeco, as well as the City Tourism and Sports Development Office, headed by Larissa Malinao and City Sports Director III Roel Torres, to ensure the successful hosting of the tournament.
FESSAP has a nationwide membership of more than 300 colleges and universities from leagues such as SCUAA, PISCUAA, Private Schools Athletic Association, Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc., and Leyte Amateur Athletic Association.
It will be conducting more qualifying tournaments in other sports this year in preparation for the Universiade in Naples, Italy in July next year. (PNA)
