Karatedo federation raises funds for test event

The Lao Karatedo Federation held a fundraiser at the Lao-Japan Budo Centre last Thursday to raise money for a test event at the weekend.

The three-nation contest was the last chance for the Lao karatedo team to put its skills to the test ahead of the SEA Games.

The federation received more than US$7,175 from donors to support the test event.

The federation had earlier received more than 100 million kip on November 10 from other businesses.

A junior karatedo team from Vientiane Secondary School and the national team gave demonstrations during the fundraiser.

There was also a friendly competition, with members of the federation's executive board, the Asian Karatedo Federation and a Vietnamese referee judging the contest.

Federation President Vilayvong Boutdhakham said the aim of the weekend's test event was to have a dry run to check out the preparations of the organising committee, the readiness of the national karatedo team and the facilities at the Budo Centre.

A short training session for volunteers helping at the event also took place.

The federation would send 50 Lao karatedo fighters to the test event, to compete against teams from Thailand and Vietnam .

The federation had bought equipment from China to use at the competition.

Contests featured include men's and women's singles, and men's and women's team events in the dance category.

Men in the 55, 60, 67, 75, 84 and over 84kg weight divisions and women in the 50, 55, 61, 68 and over 68kg divisions were to compete in the fighting category.

The fundraising ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Phongsavath Bubpha, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment and consultant to the Lao Karatedo Federation Bounthavy Sisouphanthong, senior Japanese officials and representatives of the private sector.

The Asian Karatedo Federation will provide an international-standard referee to assist in judging during the SEA Games.

Construction of the Lao-Japan Budo Centre was funded by the Japanese government.

Members of the Lao karatedo team trained in Hanoi , Vietnam , in September and October, hoping to boost their SEA Games medal chances.

From April to June this year, six women and 10 men in a variety of categories also trained in Hanoi .

At the 24th SEA Games in Thailand in 2007, the Lao karatedo team won a bronze medal in the fighting event but was unsuccessful in the dance event.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
(Latest Update Novembe 23, 2009)