Stage set for Tong-Il Moo-Doo championship in Mombasa
Chairman of Kenya Tong-Il Moo-Do Federation Clarence Mwakio. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT |
What you need to know:
- Clarence said Team Kenya, who are the defending champions, are well prepared for the tournament and players are in training camps in Mombasa and Nairobi.
The Mombasa Open Tong-Il Moo-Doo International Martial Arts Championship will be held at Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa, this weekend.
The competition, to be held on Saturday and Sunday, is expected to attract record number of countries. In a media briefing on Tuesday in Mombasa, Kenya Tong-Il Moo-Do Federation chairman, Clarence Mwakio said a total of 23 countries are expected for the championship to be graced by the World Tong-Il Moo-Do Federation vice-chairman, Takamitsu Hoshiko.
Mwakio said Uganda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Congo Brazzaville, DR Congo, Brazil, Benin, Burkina Faso, Thailand, Paraguay, Philippines, South Korea, Cambodia, Japan and Nepal have confirmed participation.
“We will give the exact number of teams competing in the championship on Friday. Teams will start arriving in the country from Thursday (today),” Mwakio said, adding that arrangements have been finalised for the hosting of the tournament.
He thanked the government for supporting the federation in organising and sponsoring the championship. “The government has been supporting us in our last four editions and they it also chips in this year,” he said.
Clarence said Team Kenya, who are the defending champions, are well prepared for the tournament and players are in training camps in Mombasa and Nairobi. “We are prepared for the challenge from other participants but I’m confident we’ll retain our title,” he said.
Hoshiko, who was present at the press conference, said they hold such tournaments to build up the spirit of unity beyond nations, races, religions and cultures.
“When I came first time, there were no proper places for training the players but with the support of the government, I’m happy now there are facilities which can help the players prosper,” he said.
Hoshiko said the first Tong-Il Moo-Do tournament was held in USA and since then, many other international tournaments have been held in various countries and the sport has become popular in many parts of the world.
“I hope Kenya will be among top Tong-Il Moo-Doo nations because its federation leaders are cooperating with the government officials in developing the sport,” he said.
