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TOURNAMENT
The International Kanazawa Cup (IKC) is the annual flagship tournament of Shotokan Karate-do International South Africa(SKISA). The 2009, held on 25 April 2009, at the Tongaat Indoor Sports Centre - North Coast, attracted a record entry of 600(six hundred) international and local participants. Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritius and Botswana were represented at the event. The IKC attracts participants as young as four years up to those karateka over the age of forty.
The Chief Guest of Honour for the event was Japanese Karate Maestro Manabu Murakami Sensei, a two-time world champion. VIP Guest and chief sponsor of the event, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of the Gift of the Givers Foundation, was interviewed by SABC 1 - The Warriors who covered the prestigious event. Deputy Mayor, Cllr Logie Naidoo officially welcomed all participants to the City of Durban, at the IKC opening ceremony.
SKISA "Team South Africa 2009" provided the "fireworks" in the International Team Event, winning the final against Team Mozambique. Team SA (Men) were crowned as Team Champions for the fifth time in succession, continuing their winning streak at the IKC. The IKC Team Trophy, sponsored by the Gift of the Givers, was presented to Team SA Captains Sensei Brando Pillay and Tina Lee Singh. Sensei Brando won the Senior Men Kata Division for the 10th time in succession, having first won the event in 2000. Former World Junior Champion(2003), Njabulo Khumalo, was declared the outstanding fighter of the Tournament, after winning the Senior Men Over 75kg Kumite Division, and was presented with the Donovan Goodall Memorial Trophy.
All in all an exciting eventful day was enjoyed by all, with the event being used by members of Team SA 2009 to sharpen their skills before carrying the hopes of our nation at the 10th SKIF World Cup Karate 2009 - Greece, scheduled in July.
COMMENDATION AWARD PRESENTED AT THE SKISA TEAM SOUTH AFRICA 2009 DINNER BANQUET
Shotokan Karate-do International Federation(SKIF) in association with its affiliate SKISA conferred an International Commendation Award on Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, of the Gift of the Givers, for his outstanding contribution to mankind and the promotion of sport amongst all South Africans.
The prestigious award was made to Dr Sooliman at the SKISA Team South Africa 2009 Dinner Banquet, attended by VIP Guests the MEC for Sports & Recreation: KZN - Min. A Rajbansi, Deputy Speaker of the KZN Legislature - Prof LGB Ndabandaba, Deputy Mayor Cllr Logie Naidoo, and Edison Corporation MD, Mr Vivian Reddy. The Chief Guest of Honour at the Banquet was Japanese Karate Maestro Manabu Murakami Sensei, a two-time world champion.
President of SKISA, Kyoshi Sonny Pillay, paid glowing tribute to Dr Sooliman for his outstanding humanitarian work amongst the previously disadvantaged and underprivileged communities of the rainbow nation of South Africa, apart from his social responsibility projects around the globe. Kyoshi Pillay said that SKISA intends to partner the Gift of the Givers in future social upliftment programmes incorporating karate. The Gift of the Givers sponsorship of floor mats for the International Kanazawa Cup 2009 ensured that all participants were safe from injury during Kumite(fighting) matches, resulting in the participants giving off their best without fear of injury The generosity of Dr Sooliman, in providing the sponsorship, ensures SKISA's members enjoy training and participating on a surface of an international standard. SKISA consists of a membership of over 2000 members, a majority of which are from previously disadvantaged communities. Due to Karate being an amateur code of sport in South Africa SKISA relies heavily on its sponsors. The sponsorship from Dr Sooliman and the Gift of the Givers is truly a gift from God for us as we were not in a financial position to purchase these world class mats which is essential for the safety of our children."
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