26 countries expected for martial arts championship

Evans Owuor tackles Benson Munyaru during 2016 Tong-IL Moo-Do national championships at Mama Ngina Drive, Mombasa, on December 19, 2016. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT |

What you need to know:

  • Twenty six countries have confirmed participation in the fifth edition of Mombasa Open Tong-IL Moo-Do International Martial Arts Championship to be held at Aga Khan Academy next month.
  • Clarence Mwakio, chairman of Kenya Tong-IL Moo-Do Federation, has said 11 teams from Africa, eight from Asian continent, five from America and two from Europe have already confirmed their taking part in the two days event to be held from April 29 to 30.

Twenty six countries have confirmed participation in the fifth edition of Mombasa Open Tong-IL Moo-Do International Martial Arts Championship to be held at Aga Khan Academy next month.

Clarence Mwakio, chairman of Kenya Tong-IL Moo-Do Federation, has said 11 teams from Africa, eight from Asian continent, five from America and two from Europe have already confirmed their taking part in the two days event to be held from April 29 to 30.

“We are expecting more countries to confirm their participation for this tournament. We already have a good number,” Mwakio said on Sunday, adding that they have stepped up preparations for the event.

African countries which have written to the federation confirming their participation in the championship are Ethiopia, South Sudan, DR Congo, Congo Brazaville, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Mali, Benin, South Africa and hosts Kenya.

Asian countries that have confirmed their participation include Iran, Philippines, Japan, South Korea and Cambodia. From the Americas, United States of America, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Peru have confirmed participation alongside European countries England and the Netherlands.

“This year, we’ve received the highest number of participants from foreign countries since we started the championship four years ago,” said Mwakio

The federation’s secretary-general, Hillary Wahanda said they are confident of winning medals at the championship.

“We are preparing well for the championship. Our players must be in top form to win medals,” said Wahanda.

Participants will be trained on anti-doping awareness. Teams will also be trained on public relations and publicity, sports marketing and anti-doping rules.