Around 350 players from more than 50 countries are participating in the two-day World Premier League Karate Championship which starts 28 February. It will be the first such tournament in the Arab world. The Premier League began in 2006. It is hosted by European countries but has never reached the US or any Arab country. “The event we are hosting is the Premier League Championship which takes place eight times annually and in many countries,” Ayman Abdel-Hamid, president of the Egyptian Karate Federation, said. “Egypt is honoured to host one of the Premium League phases in Sharm El-Sheikh, becoming the first Arab country to host such an event. “I had bid many times to host such an international event but I was always told to wait,” Abdel-Hamid told Al-Ahram Weekly in an exclusive interview. “There is much confidence among the organisers to host such an event from the administrative side after a meeting of the federation's board members. “There is also the performance of our athletes in the last World Championship held in France which directed all eyes towards our country. They saw how the players were fighting to the death to win and how enthusiastic they were when they did win, singing and raising the Egyptian flag. I really thank our youth and our players for making my mission this time possible.” Abdel-Hamid said he was told by Antonio Espinós, head of the World Karate Federation (WKF), that he was very confident in the Egyptians and was sure that they will organise the best Premier League ever as Egypt as a country has all the facilities available: nice weather, hospitality and huge sports facilities. Espinós said he was surprised by how well organised the Egyptian national team and the Egyptian federations were. He said he visited Egypt last year and was very impressed. He also met Khaled Abdel-Aziz, Egypt's youth and sports minister, and asked him for the secret behind Egypt's success. “I hope we will impress the whole world as we are fully prepared for such an event and to show the world at this crucial time how safe Egypt is especially since the event comes shortly before the world economy summit in Sharm El-Sheikh,” Abdel-Aziz said. Abdel-Hamid added that with the help of the Red Sea governor and the Ministry of Tourism “we are preparing a lovely programme for all delegations. The opening ceremony will include the international music of composer Omar Khairat. We have also afforded nice packages for those visiting Sharm El-Sheikh.” Mohieddin Ahmed, deputy president of the Egyptian Federation and the championship's manager, said the competition will witness the participation of the Egyptian national teams in kata and kumite in addition to players from Egyptian clubs. “We want the largest number of players to play against professionals and acquire experience.” Mohamed Gad, head of marketing and the media committee at the event, said that he had organised “a marvellous programme” for all participants to get to know Sharm El-Sheikh, the Red Sea resort, and convey the message when they go back home. “We are doing our best to make the event a success and we thank all organisations that gave us a hand.” Hisham Lotfi, head of Al-Ahram Advertising Agency, said, “We are doing our best to make such an event a spectacular one to show the world how efficient Egyptians are and how safe Egypt is. We are trying to send a positive message to the whole world before next month's global economic summit.”
